Reuse of rigid plastic packaging

 Several technologies are emerging to facilitate the reuse of rigid plastic packaging, addressing limitations of traditional recycling methods. These include chemical recycling, dissolution technology, and digital watermarking. These technologies aim to convert waste plastics into high-quality feedstocks or enable accurate sorting and recycling of various rigid plastic packaging materials. 

1. Chemical Recycling:

PolyCycl's Technology:

This technology thermally breaks down waste plastics into their molecular building blocks (oligomers), which can be reconstituted into virgin-quality materials. It uses a patented ContiFlow Cracker™ process and PyOilClean™ refining technology to convert waste plastics into liquified hydrocarbon oils, removing contaminants and generating high-quality chemical feedstocks. 

Hydro-PRT:

Mura Technology's Hydro-PRT process is a complementary solution to traditional mechanical recycling, processing waste plastics that are currently unrecyclable. It provides a commercially viable alternative to incineration and landfill. 

2. Dissolution Technology:

Dow and P&G's Joint Development: Dow and Procter & Gamble are working on a dissolution technology that converts rigid, flexible, and multilayer plastic packaging into recycled polyethylene, suitable for P&G's packaging. 

3. Digital Watermarking:

HolyGrail 2.0 Initiative: This project uses digital watermarks, invisible to the human eye but detectable by high-resolution cameras, to identify and sort plastic packaging by material type and usage category. This technology helps with accurate sorting for high-quality recycling. 

4. Other Technologies and Approaches:

Mechanical Recycling:

While not a revolutionary technology, mechanical recycling remains a viable option for plastics like PET and HDPE, especially for rigid containers like bottles. 

Depolymerization and Pyrolysis:

These processes can be used to change the chemical composition of waste plastics, enabling energy recovery and processing of mixed and unrecyclable packaging. 

Reusable Packaging Solutions:

Some companies are exploring reusable packaging models, such as returnable containers or refillable systems, to reduce plastic waste and encourage reuse. 

Material Substitution:

Replacing single-use plastics with fiber-based alternatives is another strategy, though it may come with higher costs. 

Label Removability:

Addressing label removability in rigid plastic packaging is crucial for bottle-to-bottle recycling processes, ensuring clean separation during recycling. 

These technologies and approaches are crucial for advancing the circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of rigid plastic packaging waste.