It makes business sense to prepare for the legislative developments in order to be futureproof.

Using recycled plastics is motivated by several key drivers:

• Legislation, regulations and green procurement: Governmental agencies increasingly set objectives and requirements for the use of recycled plastics. In procurement processes, governmental agencies often target the use of recycled materials.
• Reduction of the environmental impact: Implementing recycled plastics in a product avoids the use of virgin plastic. As Lifecycle Assessment studies (LCAs) have shown, recycling generally allows for a lower environmental impact compared to virgin material.
• Ensuring a stable supply of materials: In the future, the price of plastics is expected to increase and security of supply will likely diminish. By keeping plastics in a closed loop, less fossil fuel is needed to produce plastics and society’s dependence on oil is minimized.
• Marketing considerations: Consumers increasingly claim to include sustainability in their purchasing considerations. The use of recycled plastics could thus be leveraged in communication with consumers. It can add value at a product level, but it can also increase a company’s brand value.