Are you tired of the plastic pollution plaguing our planet? Wondering how to make a positive impact? Look no further.
Finding effective solutions is crucial today, where plastic waste poses a serious environmental threat.
This article will examine plastic recycling companies and startups in-depth and highlight 12 top influencers shaping the industry in 2025.
Our comprehensive review will provide the information you need to make a positive impact, whether you’re a conscientious individual looking to contribute or a company interested in adopting sustainable methods.
So, let’s get started!
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Why is Plastic Recycling Important?
Plastic recycling is a critical process cornerstone for environmental conservation and sustainable living.
The importance of recycling plastic lies in its ability to mitigate the negative impacts of plastic waste on the environment.
Plastic is non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, leading to soil and water pollution and harming wildlife and ecosystems.
Recycling helps to reduce this environmental burden by diverting plastics from landfills and oceans, where they can cause significant ecological damage.
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Moreover, recycling plastics helps save natural resources and energy that would otherwise be used to produce new plastic materials.
It reduces the reliance on virgin materials, such as petroleum, thus decreasing the carbon footprint associated with plastic production.
Conserving resources in the battle against climate change is essential because it results in lower greenhouse gas emissions, a significant factor in global warming.
Let’s discuss the top 12 leading plastic recycling companies and startups in 2025.
8 Groundbreaking Plastic Recycling Startups
Let’s first talk about the 8 groundbreaking plastic recycling startups in 2025.
PureCycle
PureCycle Technologies is a company focused on sustainable plastic recycling within the waste management industry. Their proprietary technology, developed and licensed by Procter & Gamble, offers a revolutionary approach to recycling polypropylene plastic waste, designated as No. 5 plastic.
This process involves separating color, odor, and other contaminants from plastic waste feedstock to produce Ultra-Pure Recycled (UPR) resin with virgin-like properties.
The technology stands out because it does not rely on a chemical reaction to purify the recycled plastic, making it an eco-conscious choice.
The preliminary lifecycle analysis indicates that PureCycle’s process consumes less energy than new plastic manufacturing, underscoring its sustainability.
UBQ Materials
The company has developed a patented technology that converts unsorted household waste, including all organics, into a thermoplastic composite material known as UBQ™.
This innovative material substitutes wood, concrete, or oil-based plastics in manufacturing durable products, contributing to a circular economy and reducing the carbon footprint of end-products.
The process begins with the collection of residual solid waste, which is then subjected to stages of automatic refinement. Metals and minerals are extracted and sent to recycling facilities during this phase.
The remaining waste is used as feedstock for the UBQ conversion process.
A series of physical processes trigger a chemical reaction that breaks organic elements into their basic particulate components, such as lignin, sugar, cellulose, and fibers.
These components are then reconstituted into a homogenous matrix and melted plastics to create the UBQ material.
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Plastic Energy
Plastic Energy has pioneered a patented technology known as Thermal Anaerobic Conversion (TAC), which is central to its innovative approach to recycling plastic waste.
The TAC process begins with heating plastics in an oxygen-free environment, causing them to decompose into hydrocarbon vapors.
These vapors are then condensed into a synthetic oil called TACOIL™, which can be used as a feedstock for creating new, clean plastics.
This process not only diverts plastic waste from landfills and incineration but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels by repurposing end-of-life plastics into valuable resources.
Plastic Energy’s technology represents a significant advancement in establishing a circular economy for plastics, where materials are reused and recycled continuously, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Repeats
Repeats Group is a company that has positioned itself as a leader in the recycling of polyethylene plastic waste.
With a focus on transforming post-commercial plastic waste into high-quality resin, Repeats Group employs a best-in-class mechanical process.
This process involves several stages, starting with sorting light plastic waste, then washing and extruding to produce clean pellets. These pellets can then be used to engineer a variety of new products.
Repeats Group, which operates across Europe, has shown its dedication to sustainability through its initiatives to minimize CO2 emissions and waste pollution.
The company has set up a series of facilities to achieve its target of recycling 80kt of plastics annually.
Carbios
Carbios is a pioneering company in plastic waste management, utilizing a unique enzymatic recycling technology. It is a member of Paris Good Fashion, an association that unites over 100 French players in the sector—brands, designers, and experts—around their commitment to sustainable fashion.
Their innovative approach involves using enzymes to break down PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastics, which are commonly found in bottles and textiles, into their fundamental building blocks, or monomers.
These monomers can then be purified and re-polymerized to create high-quality, recycled PET plastics equivalent to virgin PET produced from petrochemical resources.
This groundbreaking technology allows for recycling all types of PET waste, including colored, opaque, and complex plastics that traditional recycling methods cannot process.
As a result, Carbios’ process supports a circular economy by enabling the production of new plastics from 100% recycled materials without losing quality.
- 100% Recycled: Carbios has successfully created 100% enzymatically recycled white PET fiber from colored textile waste. Simultaneously, they’ve crafted the world’s first 100% recycled PET bottles from the same textile waste.
- Strategic Partnerships: Carbios has partnered with multinational brands like Patagonia, PUMA, PVH Corp., and Salomone to implement its enzymatic recycling technology.
- Recycling polyester and blended fibers: Their technology can recycle 100% polyester textiles and polycotton blends containing polyester and cotton fibers, allowing the recycling of a wider range of textile waste streams.
- Piloting and scaling: After successful lab testing, Carbios is working to scale up and industrialize their enzymatic recycling process through pilot operations and a demonstration plant scheduled for 2025.
Loop Industries
Loop Industries, headquartered in Terrebonne, Quebec, was founded to accelerate the world’s shift towards sustainable PET plastic and polyester fiber, reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.
Their proprietary technology revolutionizes the recycling of PET plastic and polyester fiber waste by depolymerizing the materials into their base building blocks, dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) and monoethylene glycol (MEG).
This process involves preparing and loading various types of PET waste into depolymerization reactors, broken down using low heat and no added pressure.
The resulting monomers are then purified and polymerized to create virgin-quality Loop™ branded PET resin. This resin is suitable for food-grade packaging, such as water bottles, and is made from 100% recycled content.
Samsara Eco
Samsara Eco’s technology is a groundbreaking approach to recycling. It utilizes enzymes to break down plastics into their original chemical building blocks, monomers.
This process, known as depolymerization, allows for creating new, virgin-grade plastics without the need for fossil fuels, making it a truly circular and sustainable process.
The company’s process begins with preparing plastic waste, which is sourced and cold-washed. Hard plastics are chipped, and textiles like polyester are shredded.
The Samsara Eco enzymes then attack the complex polymers, reverting them to monomers.
This step is crucial as it enables the recycling of plastics at the molecular level, which traditional recycling methods cannot achieve.
The monomers are then purified, removing additives such as colorants, which allows for the recycling of colored plastics or mixed bales that traditional recycling cannot process.
Novoloop
Their innovative technology, Accelerated Thermal Oxidative Decomposition (ATOD), is a groundbreaking approach to recycling plastic waste.
ATOD transforms non-recyclable polyethylene plastics, such as bags and packaging, into high-quality chemical building blocks.
These monomers are then used to create thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a material with a wide range of applications.
The process begins with sourcing polyethylene waste, which is often not recycled and ends up in landfills or oceans.
Novoloop collaborates with waste recovery and recycling value chain partners to obtain this waste, providing an incentive to divert it from harmful disposal methods.
The ATOD technology then oxidizes the plastic waste, breaking it down to its molecular foundation. This step not only purifies the material but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions by 70-90% compared to traditional processes.
4 Leading Plastic Recycling Companies
Here are the top 4 leading plastic recycling companies that you must know.
MBA Polymers
MBA Polymers is a global leader in plastics recycling, producing high-quality post-consumer recycled plastics from end-of-life durable goods like computers, electronics, appliances, and automobiles.
Founded in 1992 by Dr. Mike Biddle, the company has developed groundbreaking technologies to extract valuable plastic resins from waste streams
MBA Polymers has been recognized with numerous international awards for its innovative circular economy solutions, including the Circulars Award for Circular Economy SME from the World Economic Forum and the Gothenburg Award for Sustainable Development.
The company has production facilities in the United States, Austria, China, United Kingdom, Germany, and India, with a total capacity of over 200,000 tons per annum
KW Plastics
With a pioneering spirit for developing new markets and technologies to meet tomorrow’s plastic scrap recycling demands, KW Plastics has established a reputation for innovation and quality.
KW Plastics utilizes its advanced technology, developed through years of in-house research, to reprocess various HDPE and PP materials.
This produces top-notch products that can be used at concentrations of up to 100% in various applications.
Their process involves collecting plastic scrap, which is then meticulously sorted, cleaned, and transformed into resin. This resin is used to manufacture new plastic products, effectively closing the loop on plastic waste.
The company has become a frontrunner in the industry due to its dedication to excellence and significant ability to process various materials.
It offers recycled plastic resins that fulfill the demanding requirements of both processors and end-users, establishing itself as a leader in the field.
Suez Recycling & Recovery Holdings
Suez’s technology in recycling plastic waste involves a comprehensive process that includes collection, sorting, and recovery.
The collected waste is sorted using advanced technologies to separate different types of plastics. The recovery process transforms the plastic waste into granules or powders through milling, shredding, and micronization techniques.
Industrial producers can then use these materials, contributing to the circular economy by giving plastic waste a new life as high-quality recycled raw materials.
Additionally, Suez employs depolymerization, a method that allows the recycling of complex plastic materials that were previously non-recyclable.
Thus, the quality of recycled plastics is enhanced to match that of virgin plastics produced by petrochemicals.
Arqlite
Arqlite is a company that specializes in recycling plastic waste, particularly difficult-to-recycle plastics.
Their innovative technology allows them to process complex and mixed plastics without the need for pre-sorting, simplifying and making the recycling process more cost-effective.
This technology can handle up to 10 tons of hard-to-recycle plastics per hour, transforming them into eco-friendly, low-carbon materials.
The recycled plastics are used to create a product called Smart Gravel, a sustainable alternative to traditional Gravel.
Smart Gravel is lighter, offers ten times better insulation, and is three times lighter than mineral gravel. This makes it a great option for various uses, including drainage, backfill, and even as a medium for hydroponics and planting.
30 Global Plastic Recycling Plants
Company Name | Location | Materials Accepted | Recycled Products | Annual Capacity (MT) | MQO (MT) | Certifications | Contact Information | Additional Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phoenix Technologies | Bowling Green, OH, USA | PET bottles | Recycled PET resin | 45,000 | 22 | FDA LNO | sales@phoenixtech.com | Specializes in clear rPET |
Veolia PET Germany | Rostock Recycling GmbH, Trelleborger Str. 2-4, 18107 Rostock, Germany | PET bottles, PET trays | Food-grade rPET pellets | 50,000 | 25 | EFSA approval, ISO 9001 | info@veolia.de | Food-grade recycling facility |
Indorama Ventures | Klaipeda Free Economic Zone, Klaipeda 94102, Lithuania | Post-consumer PET bottles | Food-grade rPET | 30,000 | 24 | ISCC PLUS, FDA approval | sales@indorama.net | Mechanical and chemical recycling capabilities |
Pure PET | Via dell’Industria 5, 31020 San Polo di Piave, Italy | PET bottles, PET thermoforms | rPET flakes, pellets | 35,000 | 22 | ISO 9001, GRS certified | info@purepet.it | Specialized in bottle-to-bottle recycling |
Wellman International | Mullagh, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland | PET bottles, polyester fibers | Recycled polyester staple fiber | 45,000 | 18 | ISO 14001, Oeko-Tex | sales@wellman-intl.com | Focus on textile applications |
Perpetual Recycling | 1561 East State Road 28, Richmond, IN 47374, USA | PET bottles, containers | Food-grade rPET pellets | 55,000 | 20 | FDA LNO, ISO 9001 | info@perpetualrecycling.com | Advanced sorting technology |
Sky Plastic | Industriestraße 4, 9020 Klagenfurt, Austria | HDPE, LDPE, PP | Technical compounds | 28,000 | 15 | EuCertPlast, ISO 9001 | office@sky-plastic.com | Custom color matching available |
Dentis Recycling | ul. Pawła Włodkowica 2c, 03-262 Warsaw, Poland | HDPE, PP, LDPE | Recycled plastic granules | 32,000 | 21 | ISO 9001, GRS | sales@dentis.pl | Specializes in post-industrial waste |
PlasticsEurope | Carrer de la Ciutat de Granada 150, 08018 Barcelona, Spain | Mixed plastic waste | Various recycled compounds | 38,000 | 23 | ISCC PLUS | info@plasticseurope.es | Advanced sorting capabilities |
Visy Recycling | 13 Reo Crescent, Campbellfield VIC 3061, Australia | PET, HDPE, PP | Food-grade recycled plastics | 42,000 | 25 | HACCP, ISO 9001 | recycling@visy.com.au | Integrated recycling facility |
Envision Plastics | 606 East Meadow Road, Eden, NC 27288, USA | HDPE bottles, containers | Natural and colored rHDPE | 48,000 | 22 | FDA approved | sales@envisionplastics.com | Color-sorting technology |
RePlas | Zhongshan Torch High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Guangdong, China | PE, PP, PS | Recycled plastic pellets | 60,000 | 25 | ISO 9001, GRS | info@replas.cn | Export-oriented facility |
Recycling Technologies | Unit 2 Stirling Court, Stirling Road, Swindon SN3 4TQ, UK | Mixed plastic waste | Plaxx oil, chemical feedstock | 22,000 | 30 | ISO 14001 | info@recyclingtechnologies.co.uk | Chemical recycling process |
Green Group | Bd. Nicolae Caramfil nr. 71-73, Bucharest, Romania | PET bottles, films | rPET flakes and pellets | 45,000 | 20 | ISCC PLUS, GRS | office@greengroup.ro | Integrated collection system |
Biffa Polymers | Polymer Processing Site, Wilton International, Redcar TS10 4RG, UK | HDPE bottles | Food-grade rHDPE | 36,000 | 24 | EFSA approval | polymers@biffa.co.uk | Bottle-to-bottle recycling |
Far Eastern New Century | No.1, Zhongxing Rd., Yuanlin City, Changhua County 510, Taiwan | PET bottles, polyester waste | Food-grade rPET | 70,000 | 28 | FDA approved, GRS | sales@fenc.com | Vertical integration capability |
Custom Polymers | Athens, AL, USA | PP, TPO, PE | Recycled PP, PE, and TPO resins | 50,000 | 23 | ISO 9001 | info@custompolymers.com | Specializes in automotive plastics recycling |
Reclay Group | Herrenstrasse 51, 63065 Offenbach am Main, Germany | Various plastic types | Custom compounds | 33,000 | 19 | EuCertPlast | info@reclay-group.com | Consulting services available |
CarbonLite | 875 Michigan Avenue, Riverside, CA 92507, USA | PET bottles | Food-grade rPET pellets | 58,000 | 26 | FDA LNO, ISO 9001 | sales@carbonlite.com | Bottle-to-bottle specialist |
Merlin Plastics | 109-917 Churchill Street, Delta, BC V3L 5E3, Canada | Mixed plastics | Custom recycled resins | 44,000 | 23 | ISO 14001 | info@merlinplastics.com | Full-service recycling |
Kunststoff Recycling Grünstadt | Am Recyclingpark 2, 67269 Grünstadt, Germany | Technical plastics | Engineering compounds | 29,000 | 18 | ISO 9001, EuCertPlast | info@krg-recycling.de | Automotive grade materials |
Cleanaway | 441 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia | Mixed plastic waste | Various recycled resins | 52,000 | 25 | ISO 14001 | recycling@cleanaway.com.au | National collection network |
Polykar | 5637 46 St SE, Calgary, AB T2C 4Y5, Canada | PE films, bags | Recycled film pellets | 31,000 | 20 | ISO 9001 | info@polykar.com | Film recycling specialist |
Viridor | Peninsula House, Rydon Lane, Exeter EX2 7HR, UK | Mixed plastics | Various recycled polymers | 47,000 | 22 | ISO 14001 | recycling@viridor.co.uk | Advanced sorting facility |
Jayplas | Corby, Northamptonshire, UK | LDPE, HDPE, PP | Recycled plastic films, pellets | 43,000 | 21 | ISO 9001, BRC | enquiries@jayplas.com | Largest UK recycler |
Avangard Innovative | Houston, Texas, USA | LDPE, LLDPE films | PCR resin | 90,000 | 27 | GRS certified | sales@avangard.com | Specializes in film recycling |
Novolex | Hartsville, South Carolina, USA | PS, PP | Foam and rigid packaging | 51,000 | 24 | FSSC 22000 | info@novolex.com | Focuses on foodservice packaging |
ALPLA Werke Alwin Lehner GmbH & Co KG | Hard, Austria | HDPE, PET, PP | Bottles, preforms | 72,000 | 26 | ISO 14001 | info@alpla.com | Global packaging solutions |
Remondis | Lünen, Germany | Mixed Plastics | Various Polymers | 60000 | 26 | ISO 9001 | info@remondis-recycling.de | One of the largest recycling companies globally |
TerraCycle | Trenton, NJ, USA | Mixed Plastics, hard-to-recycle materials | Recycled products, raw materials | Varies | Varies | ISO 9001 | customersupport@terracycle.com | Focus on innovative recycling solutions |
Environmental Impact of Advanced Recycling Methods
Advanced recycling methods offer significant environmental benefits, addressing key challenges in plastic waste management.
Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Advanced recycling technologies significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional plastic production. By recycling plastics, we can cut down on carbon dioxide emissions associated with virgin plastic manufacturing. This process helps mitigate climate change impacts by lowering the carbon footprint of plastic products.
Conservation of Natural Resources
Recycling plastics plays a crucial role in conserving valuable natural resources. It reduces the demand for virgin plastic resins, decreasing reliance on finite raw materials. This conservation helps protect ecosystems and minimizes environmental damage from resource extraction.
Decreased Reliance on Virgin Plastics
Advanced recycling methods enable the creation of high-quality recycled plastics, reducing dependence on virgin materials. This shift towards recycled content in plastic products helps conserve energy and fossil fuels used in new plastic production. By closing the loop on material usage, we promote a more sustainable and efficient system of production.
Plastic Recycling Challenges
As said above, plastic recycling faces several challenges, each requiring innovative solutions for progress.
The most important ones are:
Sorting Challenges
Sorting plastic waste correctly is important for recycling, but it’s not easy. There are many types of plastic, and they need to be separated accurately. Recycling centers use advanced machines like optical sensors and infrared technology to do this job quickly and correctly.
However, sometimes plastics are part of complex products with different materials, making sorting even trickier. This means we need to keep improving our sorting methods to improve plastic recycling.
Cleaning Challenges
Before plastic can be recycled, it has to be cleaned well to remove dirt or other debris. This cleaning process can be tough because some things, like food labels and sticky residues, stick to plastic well.
To clean plastic, it’s washed, shredded, and dried to make sure it’s really clean. But this cleaning process can use up a lot of water and energy.
We’re working on finding better ways to clean plastic, like using special machines or chemicals. It’s also important for people to know how to prepare their plastic waste properly for recycling by removing dirt or labels.
Different Types of Plastic Challenges
Plastics come in many different types, and each one needs to be recycled in a specific way.
But it’s hard to tell which type of plastic is used in products because they’re not always labeled clearly.
This makes it difficult to sort them correctly for recycling. We need better labels and more education so that people know which plastics can be recycled.
Scientists are also trying to develop new plastics that are easier to recycle and technologies to recycle more types of plastic.
Infrastructure and Collection Challenges
Not all places have good recycling facilities or ways to collect plastic waste. Some areas have better recycling systems than others because they have more money or people.
This means that not everyone can easily recycle plastic. We must invest in recycling facilities and better ways to collect plastic waste.
Also, we need to tell people more about recycling and how important it is to do it right. Working together can make recycling easier for everyone and help our planet.
Innovative Technologies in Plastic Recycling
Advanced Sorting Techniques
Optical sorting has revolutionized plastic waste management. It uses sensors to identify different types of plastics quickly and accurately. Near-infrared (NIR) technology enhances this process by analyzing chemical compositions. These systems can sort plastics based on color, shape, and material type. They significantly reduce contamination in recycled materials.
AI-Powered Recycling
Artificial Intelligence is transforming plastic sorting systems. AI algorithms analyze waste in real-time, improving classification accuracy. This technology leads to faster sorting and higher-quality recycled materials. Machine learning models continually improve, adapting to new plastic types and contaminants. AI-powered robots can now pick and sort plastic waste with human-like precision.
Chemical Recycling Advancements
Chemical recycling is tackling previously unrecyclable plastic waste. This process breaks down plastics into their basic chemical components. It allows for the creation of new, high-quality plastics from waste. Chemical recycling can handle mixed and contaminated plastics effectively. This technology is particularly useful for complex plastic products and packaging.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the problems with recycling plastic are big, but many companies and startups are finding clever ways to solve them.
Sorting, cleaning, and dealing with different types of plastic are tough challenges, but new technologies and better education are helping us overcome them.
These companies are making a difference by caring about quality, being creative, and considering the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of plastics do these companies recycle?
These companies recycle a wide range of plastics including PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, and other commonly used plastics found in packaging, containers, and various products.
What innovative methods are these companies using for plastic recycling?
They employ methods such as chemical recycling, mechanical recycling, advanced sorting technologies, pyrolysis, and biodegradable plastic alternatives.
How do these companies contribute to reducing plastic waste?
By converting plastic waste into reusable materials, reducing landfill use, minimizing environmental pollution, and promoting a circular economy.
What products are made from recycled plastics by these companies?
Recycled plastics are used to make new packaging, building materials, textiles, consumer goods, and various industrial products.
How can consumers support plastic recycling efforts?
Consumers can support these efforts by properly sorting and recycling plastics, purchasing products made from recycled materials, and advocating for policies that promote recycling.
Are these companies focusing on any particular sectors?
Yes, they are focusing on sectors such as consumer goods, packaging, construction, automotive, and textiles, where plastic use is significant
What challenges do plastic recycling companies face?
Challenges include contamination of recycling streams, high costs of recycling processes, market demand for recycled plastics, and the development of efficient recycling technologies.
How can businesses collaborate with these recycling companies?
Businesses can collaborate by adopting sustainable packaging solutions, integrating recycled plastics into their supply chains, and partnering on recycling initiatives and innovations.
References
OECD.org: Plastic pollution is growing relentlessly as waste management and recycling fall short
ScienceDirect: Environmental impacts of polypropylene (PP) production
EEA: Climate Change Mitigation: Reducing Emissions
PetResin.org: How PET is Made?