why we need to recycle
“Recycling rate must rise from 10% in 2024 to 40% by 2040 — and we must act now.”
Home / Recycling Facts
Need for Recycling
Why Plastic Recycling Matters
The world uses over 435 million tonnes of plastic each year — a number expected to reach 764 million tonnes by 2040. Recycling only 10% today means we must scale up fast to meet future demand and protect our planet.
Recycling
Global plastic use is set to nearly double by 2040 — demanding a stronger recycling system.
Low Recycling Rates
Only 1 in 10 plastics are recycled today. By 2040, we’ll need 40% recycled content to stay sustainable.
Rising Challenge
The Recycling Gap
“To meet 2040 demand, global recycling must grow fourfold.”
435 M Tonnes
(2024) – Current plastic consumption.
764 M Tonnes
(2040) – Projected annual use.
10 % → 40 %
Target recycling rate by 2040.
201 M Tonnes
Year – Minimum recycled plastic required.
Recycling Trends
Global Plastic Consumption Growth
As global plastic consumption rises from 435 million tonnes in 2024 to nearly 764 million tonnes by 2040, the world faces a growing challenge in managing plastic waste responsibly. Despite this massive increase in demand, only 10% of plastics are currently recycled — leaving the majority to end up in landfills or the environment.
To meet future demand and comply with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) targets, global recycling capacity must expand dramatically. The goal is to achieve at least a 40% recycling rate by 2040, which means producing over 201 million tonnes of recycled plastic every year.
AI Sorting & Baling
Dry-collected plastics sorted by AI into PET, PE, PP, PS, then compacted to reduce transport costs by 12–21%.
Shredding & Washing
Cut to ~10mm pieces, cleaned using cold, hot, or chemical washing methods.
Primary Extrusion
Twin-screw extrusion turns clean flakes into first-stage recycled pellets.
Compounding & Packaging
Blended, dehumidified, and packed in 25kg bags for reuse in manufacturing.