The Factors Influencing the Recycling of Plastic and Composite Packaging Waste

Packaging constitutes the largest end-use market for plastics, accounting for approximately 40% of total consumption by sector. In 2021, the average plastic packaging waste generated per European Union (EU) resident was 35.9 kg, of which 14.2 kg, or around 40%, was recycled. The Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC), a pivotal environmental regulation, mandates specific recycling targets: a minimum of 50% of all plastic packaging waste must be recycled by 2025, increasing to at least 55% by 2030. These targets underscore the necessity for further advancements in the plastic and composite packaging waste sector. This review uses a PESTEL analysis to provide a comprehensive overview of six critical factors influencing the recycling of plastic and composite packaging waste. The PESTEL framework encompasses political, economic, socio-cultural (social), technological, environmental, and legal dimensions. This review underscores the key aspects of each factor that influences recycling. Moreover, the discussion outlines the key deficiencies within the recycling system for plastic and composite packaging waste, including factors such as inadequate technological capacity, the underdevelopment of the secondary polymer market, and the establishment of ambitious political targets that are challenging to attain, among others. The questions raised underscore areas that warrant further investigation.