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The current deployment of recycling technologies is not sufficient to close the loop of plastics, and plastics pollution remains a drastic environmental problem. While there is a good understanding of a broad range of factors influencing the development of plastic recycling capacity at the supply chain or sectoral levels, only a limited number of studies highlight the need for examining how these factors manifest at different value chain levels in order to ensure an aligned deployment of both mechanical (MR) and chemical recycling (CR). This study aims to address this gap in the context of the Lombardy region, Italy, by surveying 115 stakeholders of the plastic value chain. Results show that the adoption of CR could mitigate economic, technical, and environmental barriers of MR, thus enabling the circular economy (CE) of plastic. Based on findings, this study suggests four areas of interventions to advance recycling through systemic integration of MR and CR and better alignment of plastics value chain functions. Finally, it provides implications for practitioners and policy-makers for the development of a CE of plastic and suggests prospects for further research.

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Plastics Recycling Dilemma: A Value Chain Perspective on Integrating Mechanical and Chemical Recycling for Closing the Plastic Loop

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Paolo Trucco,
  • Carol Maione,
  • Yulia Lapko

摘要

The current deployment of recycling technologies is not sufficient to close the loop of plastics, and plastics pollution remains a drastic environmental problem. While there is a good understanding of a broad range of factors influencing the development of plastic recycling capacity at the supply chain or sectoral levels, only a limited number of studies highlight the need for examining how these factors manifest at different value chain levels in order to ensure an aligned deployment of both mechanical (MR) and chemical recycling (CR). This study aims to address this gap in the context of the Lombardy region, Italy, by surveying 115 stakeholders of the plastic value chain. Results show that the adoption of CR could mitigate economic, technical, and environmental barriers of MR, thus enabling the circular economy (CE) of plastic. Based on findings, this study suggests four areas of interventions to advance recycling through systemic integration of MR and CR and better alignment of plastics value chain functions. Finally, it provides implications for practitioners and policy-makers for the development of a CE of plastic and suggests prospects for further research.