RT null
T1 Topic Sheet: Chemical Recycling
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
K1 recycling
K1 circular economy
K1 chemical
K1 polymer
K1 hazardous waste
YR 2023
FD 2023-05
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/42232
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/42232
NO Chemical recycling (CR) is the broad term used to describe a range of technologies capable of recycling plastics using chemical processes as opposed to strictly mechanical ones. It has the potential to process plastics such as mixed rigids, films, multi-material plastics and laminated plastics. By turning plastic waste back into base chemicals and feedstocks, some types of CR can yield virgin-quality feedstock (as well as oil for use as fuel) that can be suitable for food-grade packaging. These technologies could therefore effectively complement mechanical recycling in achieving a circular economy because they can recycle a wider variety of plastic and provide food-grade recycled content.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 17, 2026