2/4/2026 6:00:09 AM | 1 minute read

Turning Plastic Waste into Strategic Materials in a Circular Economy

Massive accumulation of used plastic items captured from above, showcasing the severity of improper disposal and highlighting the urgent need for sustainable consumption and recycling solutions.

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Liam Mills

Sustainable Hydrocarbon Specialist

Get in touch

Liam Mills

Sustainable Hydrocarbon Specialist

Plastic waste is increasingly being viewed not as an environmental liability, but as a strategic resource within the circular economy. In her recent Forbes article, Dianne Plummer explores how advances in recycling and material conversion technologies are enabling plastic waste to be transformed into high-value materials for industrial use. By recovering the underlying chemical and carbon value of plastics, organisations can reduce dependence on virgin fossil resources while strengthening supply chain resilience.

A key enabler of this transition is pyrolysis. Through controlled thermal processing in the absence of oxygen, mixed plastic waste can be converted into pyrolysis oil, a versatile feedstock that can be refined into fuels, chemicals, or new plastics. Pyrolysis oil plays a critical role in closing the loop, allowing waste plastics to re-enter the value chain as a secondary raw material rather than being landfilled or incinerated.

As regulatory pressure and sustainability targets accelerate, confidence in the quality, consistency, and traceability of pyrolysis oil is becoming essential. Robust testing and verification are required to ensure these materials are fit for purpose and support genuine circular outcomes.

This is where Intertek Caleb Brett supports the industry, providing independent testing and inspection services for pyrolysis oil to help organisations unlock value from waste while advancing a more circular, sustainable materials economy. Learn more at intertek.com.

Plastic waste has often been treated as an environmental nuisance, and according to National Geographic, approximately 91% of plastic is not recycled, leaving most of it landfilled, incinerated, or dispersed into ecosystems. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, annual output has grown from just a few million tons in the mid-20th century to well over 400 million tons today. At the same time, the World Economic Forum reports that hundreds of millions of tons of plastic waste are generated each year, with tens of millions escaping formal waste systems and entering terrestrial and aquatic environments, highlighting the scale and persistence of the problem. The scale of this imbalance shows that recycling alone cannot absorb the volume, complexity, or material value embedded in modern plastic waste.

www.forbes.com/...