A new interview study from ChemSec on non-mechanical recycling shows that there is a gap between supply and demand when it comes to recycled materials, causing confusion and bottlenecks.
Among other things, suppliers go out of their way using elaborate trade schemes to reach the coveted ”100% recycled” tag, which – it turns out – is not that important to consumer product brands. Far more crucial aspects, according to several major B2C companies, are:
- Honest communication towards customers
- Comprehensive information from suppliers
- Clear standards for recycled material
These are some of the conclusions from ChemSec’s survey and interview study Not quite 100%, featuring 26 highly well-known consumer product brands.
All brands responded to a survey concerning their current plastic use, as well as their needs, expectations and challenges regarding using more recycled material, to enable the shift to a circular economy for plastics.
Ten of the brands then participated in in-depth interviews on the same topics: Essity, H&M, IKEA, Inditex, LEGO, Mars, SC Johnson, Tarkett, Unilever, and Walgreens Boots Alliance.
