Global plastic production has long since become a key driver of climate change. At around two billion tons of CO₂ per year, plastic now causes about five percent of global greenhouse gas emissions – more than the entire international air traffic. Nevertheless, the plastics industry, led by major chemical companies, promises to become climate neutral by 2050. A central promise here: recycling.

However, a recent investigation by NDR Panorama clearly shows that this strategy does not solve the structural problems.

Recycling as a beacon of hope – with limited impact
So far, only around 15 percent of plastics in Germany come from recycling. Classic mechanical recycling quickly reaches its limits, as it requires clean and unmixed waste. Chemical recycling, in which plastic is broken down back into oil or raw materials using high energy input, has been promoted as an alternative for years.

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