There’s an Explosion of Plastic Waste. Big Companies Say ‘We’ve Got This.’

By 2025, companies like Nestle and L’Oreal are committing to only use recyclable or compostable materials in their products. Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble aims to reduce its use of virgin plastic derived from petroleum by half by 2030. To achieve these goals, they are investing in a new type of recycling technology known as “advanced” or “chemical” recycling, which is capable of processing more types of plastic products than current methods. However, despite its potential, this advanced recycling technology is currently facing challenges in meeting its efficiency promises, even as it gains support as a potential solution to the growing global plastic waste crisis.