Material recycling of biodegradable plastics as an additional end-of-life option could integrate biodegradable plastic in a broader circular economy framework. Contrary to common misconceptions, biodegradable plastics can be efficiently sorted and integrated into material recycling streams. With proper sorting, biodegradable plastics do not compromise the recycling of other plastics streams. Achieving a high-quality recycling output depends on maintaining clean material streams, making efficient sorting a crucial step.
Sorting, even between different types of biodegradable polymers, is feasible with existing NIR technology. Numerous studies have proven that sorting of biodegradable plastics is effective.
Studies in Italy and The Netherlands have shown that biodegradable plastics have minimal impact on mechanical recycling, with contamination levels falling well below critical thresholds. Successful sorting trials by TOMRA and within the SEALIVE project confirm that biodegradable polymers can be accurately identified and separated without disrupting existing recycling processes.
European Bioplastics urges all recyclers to update their NIR sorting equipment with the correct reference spectra for biodegradable polymers such as PBAT, PHAs and PLA. In addition, NIR machine manufacturers could proactively support the recyclers by making these spectra standard.
There is no paradox. Material recycling provides a viable additional end of life option. Biodegradable plastic polymers do not affect the recycling or recyclability of other plastic waste streams, as it has been demonstrated that they can be separated. In order to reach the targets of Europe and of the PPWR, efficient sorting is essential for all plastics to have high quality recycling outputs.
Learn more at https://docs.european-bioplastics.org/publications/pp/2025/EUBP_PP_Biodegradables_Sorting_Material_recycling