Introduction

Plastic recycling has become a critical aspect of waste management in our modern society. With the increasing concerns about environmental preservation and the detrimental impact of plastic waste on ecosystems, the need for effective recycling practices has never been more urgent. 

In this blog post, we will delve into the world of plastic recycling, exploring its significance, waste management strategies, future trends, and most importantly, the leading plastic recycling organizations and companies that are making a difference in the world.

What is Plastic Recycling?

Plastic recycling is the process of transforming waste plastic materials into new products or raw materials. It involves the collection, sorting, cleaning, and processing of plastic waste to produce recycled plastic resin, which can be used in the manufacturing of various products. Recycling plastic helps to reduce the consumption of petroleum, conserve energy, and minimize the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or oceans.

Importance of Plastic Recycling

The significance of plastic recycling cannot be overstated. Here are some key reasons why plastic recycling is crucial:

1. Environmental Preservation

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystems, wildlife, and marine life. By recycling plastic, we can reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in oceans, rivers, and landfills. This helps to protect natural habitats, prevent the release of harmful chemicals, and mitigate the impact on biodiversity.

2. Energy Conservation

Producing plastic from virgin materials requires a substantial amount of energy. By recycling plastic, we can conserve energy as the process of recycling consumes significantly less energy compared to the production of new plastic. This helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.

3. Resource Conservation

Plastic is primarily made from non-renewable resources like petroleum and natural gas. Recycling plastic allows us to conserve these valuable resources and extend their lifespan. By reusing recycled plastic, we reduce the need for new raw materials and promote a more sustainable approach to resource management.

Plastic Recycling Waste Management Strategies

To effectively manage plastic waste and facilitate the recycling process, various strategies are employed. Here are some common waste management strategies used in plastic recycling:

1. Collection and Sorting

The first step in plastic recycling involves the collection and sorting of plastic waste. This is typically done through curbside recycling programs, drop-off centers, or specialized recycling facilities. The collected plastic waste is then sorted based on its type and composition, as different types of plastic require different recycling processes.

2. Cleaning and Preparation

Once the plastic waste is sorted, it undergoes a cleaning and preparation process. This involves removing any contaminants, such as dirt, labels, or other non-plastic materials. The cleaned plastic is then shredded or granulated into smaller pieces to facilitate further processing.

3. Processing and Manufacturing

After the cleaning and preparation stage, the plastic waste is processed and transformed into recycled plastic resin. This can be achieved through various techniques, such as mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, or thermal recycling. The recycled plastic resin can then be used as a raw material in the manufacturing of new plastic products.

4. Product Development and Distribution

The final stage of plastic recycling involves developing new products using recycled plastic resin. These products can range from plastic packaging materials to construction materials, textiles, and even automotive components. The recycled products are then distributed to the market, completing the recycling loop.

Future Trends and Innovations in Plastic Recycling

The field of plastic recycling is continuously evolving, with ongoing research and innovations aimed at improving recycling processes and developing new technologies. Here are some future trends and innovations to watch out for in plastic recycling:

1. Advanced Sorting Technologies

Advancements in sorting technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, are expected to revolutionize the plastic recycling industry. These technologies can enhance the accuracy and efficiency of plastic waste sorting, resulting in higher recycling rates and improved resource recovery.

2. Chemical Recycling

Chemical recycling, also known as feedstock recycling, is a promising innovation in plastic recycling. It involves breaking down plastic waste into its molecular components, which can then be used to produce new plastic or other chemical products. Chemical recycling has the potential to address the challenges associated with recycling complex plastic materials and mixed plastic waste.

3. Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics

The development of biodegradable and compostable plastics is another area of focus in plastic recycling. These alternative materials have the potential to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste, as they can break down naturally over time. However, it is important to ensure that these materials are properly managed to avoid contamination in recycling streams.

4. Closed-loop Recycling Systems

Closed-loop recycling systems aim to create a circular economy for plastic by ensuring that recycled plastic is continuously reused and recycled. This approach involves designing products with recyclability in mind, promoting the use of recycled materials in manufacturing, and establishing efficient collection and recycling infrastructure.

5. Plastic Credits

Plastic credits are a novel environmental mechanism aimed at combating the growing crisis of plastic pollution. Similar to carbon credits for carbon emissions, plastic credits operate on the principle of incentivizing businesses and individuals to reduce their plastic usage and support plastic recycling initiatives. 

List of the Leading Plastic Recycling Organizations and Companies in 2024

The order does not follow a ranking.

1. AMP Robotics

AMP Robotics is a company that creates robotic systems that sort recyclable material using AI and automation. AMP Robotics uses its proprietary AI platform, AMP Neuron, to identify and classify different types of recyclables from mixed material streams. The platform uses computer vision, machine learning, and deep learning to recognize objects as small as a bottle cap, noting color, size, shape, and even brand. The platform then guides robotic arms, called AMP Cortex, to sort the recyclables into bins at high speed and accuracy. The platform also generates data and insights on the composition, quality, and value of the recyclables.

• Founder(s): Matanya Horowitz
• Founding year: 2015 
• Headquarters: Louisville, Colorado, USA
• Funding: Venture – Series C

2. BlueAlp

BlueAlp is a fast-growing scale-up with a mission to accelerate plastic recycling and give plastic waste an infinite life. Through its chemical-based conversion upcycling, it transforms hard-to-recycle plastics into a high-quality oil that can be used to make new plastics and chemicals that several industries require without extracting yet more virgin fossil fuels.

• Founder: Chris van der Ree
• CEO: Valentijn de Neve
• Founding year: 2015
• Headquarters: Eindhoven, The Netherlands
• Funding: Venture – Series Unknown

How do you measure impact?

Plastic is light accessible, strong, and durable, but the amount of plastic waste generated and the treatment of that waste is concerning. Recognizing the need for plastic in our world, BlueAlp understands and propagates the importance of treating it in a more innovative and sustainable manner to preserve resources for future generations and the health of our planet. BlueAlp’s patent-protected technology heats and cracks the plastic waste in a continuous, safe, oxygen-free heating process, producing oil that reduces the demand for virgin plastics. This way, companies can meet people’s needs while at the same time contributing to a carbon-neutral society by transforming plastic from a CO2 problem into a circularity solution.

BlueAlp runs a commercial plant with an intake capacity of 17.000 tonnes. Currently, it’s working on a capacity of 70.000 tonnes in partnership with big chemical companies, helping them move closer to their goals of sustainability. BlueAlp considers it a part of its mission to disseminate this technology globally by licensing it to third parties, demonstrating that the adoption of BlueAlp technology can make plastic more circular.

3. rePurpose

rePurpose Global is a company that creates and implements market-based solutions for plastic action and waste management that drive sustainable development for local communities. rePurpose Global uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its plastic action and waste management initiatives. For example, the company uses GPS tracking, RFID tags, QR codes, and networked sensors to collect data on waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal. The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help rePurpose Global to demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making.

• Founder(s): Aditya Siroya, Peter Wang Hjemdahl, and Svanika Balasubramanian
• Founding year: 2015
• Headquarters: New York, New York, USA
• Funding: Grant

4. Empower

Empower is a company that provides a digital platform for plastic waste management and recycling. Empower uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its plastic recycling and waste management initiatives. For example, the company uses blockchain, smart contracts, and digital tokens to create a transparent and traceable system for plastic waste collection and processing. The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help Empower demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making

• Founder(s): Wilhelm Myrer
• Founding year: 2017 
• Headquarters: Oslo, Norway
• Funding: Seed

How do you measure impact? 

Empower’s technology has been used in over 40+ countries where over 450,000 tons of materials have been collected and tracked through our platform. Empower has built a digital infrastructure to enable a circular economy by incentivizing different stakeholders in the waste value chain to participate in a circular economy and bring back materials into circular loops. Empower facilitates waste collection at sources by issuing Plastic Credits and providing innovative solutions such as Deposit App, Material Traceability, and Material & Digital Product Passports, with empower chain as an engine of the platform to guarantee transparency and social impact. Empower is tirelessly working to revolutionize the waste sector and redefine the concept of waste into a valuable resource.

5. Mura Technology

Mura Technology is a company that provides a new chemical recycling method with the ability to entirely transform the massive amounts of waste plastic that poison our oceans and fill the land. Mura Technology uses its proprietary technology, called HydroPRS™, to convert collected post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-quality hydrocarbon feedstocks that can be used to make new plastic products or other materials. The technology uses supercritical water, which is water at very high temperatures and pressure, to break down the plastic waste into its molecular components without producing any harmful emissions or residues. The technology also enables Mura Technology to process mixed and contaminated plastic waste that is normally not recyclable

• Founder(s): Steve Mahon
• Founding year: 2016
• Headquarters: London, UK
• Funding: Grants

6. Recity

Recity is a company that provides waste management services and EPR fulfillment for plastic waste. EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility, which is a policy that makes producers responsible for the collection and recycling of their products after use. Recity uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its waste management services and EPR fulfillment. For example, the company uses GPS tracking, RFID tags, QR codes, and networked sensors to collect data on waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal.

The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help Recity to demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making.

• Founder(s): Suraj Nandakumar and Meha Lahiri
• Founding year: 2016
• Headquarters: Mumbai, India
• Funding: Grants

7. Earth5R

Earth5R is a company that is India’s largest community-driven environmental platform that empowers citizens to take climate action within their surroundings. Earth5R uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its climate action initiatives. For example, the company uses satellite imagery, drones, networked sensors, and remote sensing to collect data on forest cover, biodiversity, carbon stock, water quality, and human well-being.

The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help Earth5R to demonstrate the value of nature and inform decision-making.

• Founder(s): Saurabh Gupta
• Founding year: 2014
• Headquarters: Mumbai, India
• Funding: Seed

8. ReCircle

ReCircle is an Indian startup that offers a platform for individuals and organizations to offset their plastic footprint by supporting verified plastic recovery and recycling projects. The company uses technology to collect, process, and sell post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste, integrating informal waste workers, micro-entrepreneurs, and consumers into a formal value chain. ReCircle also works with various partners, such as corporations, local governments, NGOs, and communities, to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans.

ReCircle uses smart technology to manage and optimize its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to monitor its supply chain and production. The company also leverages blockchain technology to create a transparent and traceable system that tracks the flow of plastic waste from collection to recycling, ensuring the integrity and accountability of the process. ReCircle also offers digital solutions such as Kind Plastic, ClimaOne, Plastic-Offset Programs, and ground-level community collection drives.

• Founder(s): Rahul Nainani and Rishi Aggarwal
• Founding year: 2014
• Headquarters: Mumbai, India
• Funding: Undisclosed

How do you measure impact?

Did you know, India imports 4.65 Billion plastic bottles annually? My co-founder, Gurashish Singh Sahni, and I stumbled upon this startling paradox a decade ago and found it unacceptable! We are literally drowning in waste. This is what drove us to launch ReCircle in 2016 — in response to one of the greatest challenges of our time — waste recovery. 

ReCircle is a clean-tech disruptor working towards a circular future. We empower consumers, brands & government to divert waste away from landfills & oceans, and back into the economy to be recycled, reused, or repurposed. 

We measure our success by the impact our work has on society and the environment. 

We have so far diverted over 1,00,000+ MT (equivalent to the weight of 16,666 elephants) of waste from oceans and landfills across 300 cities & towns in India with the help of our 300+ collector networks and have impacted the lives of over 3000 informal waste workers. We have also enabled 60+ progressive brands including HUL, UNDP  India, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages, etc. achieve their sustainability goals. See more. 

As a technology-forward enterprise, ReCircle enables transparency and accountability in the resource value chain to promote sustainable production, consumption, and disposal of resources. We recently launched one of our flagship initiatives ClimaOne enabling businesses to trace the supply chain from collectors to processors, bringing in traceability for the plastic/EPR (extended producer responsibility) credits they purchase for meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and compliance. 

ClimaOne heralds a new era of supply chain management with in-built traceability, data capabilities and analytics helping brands across industries deep-dive into a wealth of advanced functionalities to seamlessly navigate their supply chain. 

To achieve our mission, we have also instituted other flagship initiatives such as Plastic EPR Service, Plastic-Neutral programs, and ground-level community collection drives.

ReCircle is driven by a singular mission: to accelerate the world’s transition to a circular economy.

9. Plastics For Change

Plastics For Change is a company that provides plastic recycling and waste management services for various sectors and applications. Plastics For Change uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its plastic recycling and waste management initiatives. For example, the company uses GPS tracking, RFID tags, QR codes, and networked sensors to collect data on waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal.

The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help Plastics For Change to demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making.

• Founder(s): Andrew Almack
• Founding year: 2015 
• Headquarters: Bangalore, India
• Funding: Non-equity Assistance

10. Plagazi

Plagazi is a Swedish startup that offers a sustainable solution to the plastic pollution problem, by transforming non-recyclable plastic waste into green hydrogen. The company uses a patented plasma gasification technology to convert sorted end-of-life mixed plastic waste into high-value hydrocarbons with virgin-like properties. These hydrocarbons can be used as feedstocks for the petrochemical industry to produce new plastics, or as additives for various applications, such as asphalt, roofing, adhesives, and coatings.

The company also leverages smart technology to manage and streamline its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to monitor its supply chain and production.

• Founder(s): Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao
• Founding year: 2007 
• Headquarters: Gothenburg, Sweden
• Funding: Venture – Series Unknown

How do you measure impact?

Plagazi impact is to revolutionize the green hydrogen market, decarbonize industries and solve the global problem of non-recyclable waste. Our plasma gasification process has the unique ability to extract clean, circular, and renewable energy from waste that otherwise would have had a direct negative environmental impact. 

Plagazi recycles (previously) non-recyclable waste, such as Auto Shredder Residue (ASR), plastics such as contaminated, industrial, ocean plastics, wind turbine blades, industrial waste, and hazardous waste, into green hydrogen, enabling a hydrogen supply today. We want to push the breaking of the old conventions by creating new and circular solutions that take care of the waste in circulation while reducing large amounts of CO2 emissions. 

Plagazi is leading a groundbreaking shift in the green hydrogen sector and waste management and can help Europe achieve its clean energy independence and reach its climate goals and zero emission objectives by recycling previously non-recyclable waste into green and circular hydrogen at a fraction of the cost and energy consumption

11. Recykal

Recykal is an Indian startup and technology pioneer recognized by World Economic Forum in the sustainability and circular economy domain. They provide the digital infrastructure for waste management of various categories including plastic, paper, metal, tyre, batteries, IT, and e-waste.

Services of Recykal for:

• Corporates: Takeback programs, Circularity platform, Plastic neutrality for EPR fulfillment, and beyond. Sustainability awareness program ‘Rethink+ for corporates’ Govt.
• Agencies: Digital Deposit Refund System and Smart Skan for inducing behavioral change towards sustainable waste disposal.
• Recyclers: Marketplace for purchasing recyclable waste and selling recycled materials.

Recykal powers the largest Circular Economy Marketplace in Asia. They have over 210+ brands, 325+ recyclers and co-processors, 10,000+ businesses, 190+ urban local bodies, and 3,000 + service providers and aggregators associated with them. Recykal has channelized more than 400,000 MT of material. Advanced technologies including AI, Machine Learning, and Computer Vision are used for various purposes in their operations. Recykal has collaborated with state governments to induce behavioral change among citizens toward responsible waste disposal. They are providing free-of-cost sustainability training to school students with their program ‘Rethink+ for schools’. They have partnered with major Indian businesses such as ITC, Hindustan Unilever, and Indian Oil to provide sustainable tech solutions. Recykal also collaborates with waste aggregators, providing them with advanced machinery for their waste collection centers. Their mission is to redirect 5% of India’s waste towards a circular economy.

• Founder(s): Abhay Deshpande, Abhishek Deshpande, Anirudha Jalan, Ekta Narain, and Vikram Prabakar
• Founding year: 2016 
• Headquarters: Hyderabad, India
• Funding: Venture – Series A

12. Plastic Fischer

Plastic Fischer is a Swiss startup that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The company uses low-tech solutions to collect, process, and sell post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste, integrating informal waste workers, micro-entrepreneurs, and consumers into a formal value chain. Plastic Fischer also works with various partners, such as corporations, local governments, NGOs, and communities, to create a circular economy for plastics and empower collection communities to thrive.

• Founder(s): Three friends who were inspired by the scale of plastic pollution in the Mekong River in Vietnam while on holiday.
• Founding year: 2017 
• Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
• Funding: Grant

How do you measure impact?

At Plastic Fischer, we believe that transparency and traceability of impact is crucial. This is why we track our collected and managed volumes of River Plastic through a third-party platform to verify our impact and only communicate KPIs that we can measure and prove. We collected +800 tons of plastic and created +85 local jobs in Asia. 

13. Pellenc ST

Pellenc ST is a company that designs, manufactures, and sells optical sorting machines for waste management and recycling industries. Pellenc ST uses various technologies to monitor and measure the characteristics and composition of different types of materials, such as plastics, metals, paper, glass, wood, and others. The company uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help Pellenc ST to demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making.

Pellenc ST works with various sectors and applications such as recycling, mining, agriculture, chemical, pharmaceutical, and others. The company caters to producers, importers, brand owners, municipalities, authorized recyclers, co-processing units, cement factories, and other customers. The company is well-equipped to deliver tailor-made solutions for all bulk sorting and inspection-related needs.

• Founder(s): Roger Pellenc
• Founding year: 2001
• Headquarters: Pertuis, France
• Funding: Private Equity

14. Rekart Innovations Private Limited

Rekart Innovations Private Limited is a company that provides waste management services and EPR fulfillment for plastic waste. EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility, which is a policy that makes producers responsible for the collection and recycling of their products after use. 

Rekart Innovations Private Limited uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its waste management services and EPR fulfillment. For example, the company uses GPS tracking, RFID tags, QR codes, and networked sensors to collect data on waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal. The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help Rekart Innovations Private Limited to demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making.

• Founder(s): Anurag Tiwari and Rishabh Bhatia
• Founding year: 2016
• Headquarters: New Delhi, India
• Funding: Grant

15. Oceanworks®

Oceanworks® is a company that provides a marketplace for recycled plastic materials and products. Oceanworks® uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its plastic recycling and waste management initiatives. For example, the company uses AI, image recognition, and smart contracts in a blockchain to eliminate fraud and ensure transparency in waste collection and processing.

The company also uses networked sensors, remote sensing, and cloud computing to collect data on waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal. The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help Oceanworks® to demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making

• Founder(s): Rob Ianelli and Ryan Schoenike
• Founding year: 2018 
• Headquarters: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Funding: Seed

16. Banyan Nation

Banyan Nation is a company that provides plastic recycling and waste management services for various sectors and applications. Banyan Nation uses its proprietary plastic cleaning technology, called Better Plastic™, to convert collected post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-quality recycled granules that are comparable in quality and performance to virgin plastic. The technology removes inks, coatings, and other contaminants from plastic waste using environment-friendly detergents and solvents. The technology also enables Banyan Nation to produce custom grades of recycled resins for different applications such as consumer packaging, auto components, consumer durables, and consumer electronics.

• Founder(s): Mani Vajipey and Raj Madangopal
• Founding year: 2015
• Headquarters: Hyderabad, India
• Funding: Venture – Series A

17. Cercle X

Cercle X is a company that provides a web-based platform for the waste management and recycling industry. Cercle X uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its waste management services and EPR fulfillment. EPR stands for Extended Producer Responsibility, which is a policy that makes producers responsible for the collection and recycling of their products after use.

Cercle X uses GPS tracking, RFID tags, QR codes, and networked sensors to collect data on waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal. The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help Cercle X to demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making.

• Founder(s): Vishnu Vardhaan and Divya Shetty
• Founding year: 2016 
• Headquarters: Mumbai, India
• Funding: Seed

18. Mr. Green Trading Africa Kenya

Mr. Green Africa is a Kenyan startup that aims to change the perception of waste by trading recyclable materials and achieving social and environmental impact. The company uses technology to collect, process, and sell post-consumer plastic waste, integrating informal waste workers, micro-entrepreneurs, and consumers into a formal value chain.

Mr. Green Africa also works with brand owners to help them realize their sustainable packaging goals by providing them with ethically sourced, locally produced recycled plastics. The company also leverages smart technology to manage and streamline its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to optimize its collection and distribution network.

• Founder(s): Keiran Smith and Karim Debabeche
• Founding year: 2015 
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
• Funding: Venture – Series Unknown

19. GREENMANTRA Techonologies

GreenMantra Technologies is a Canadian startup that uses a proprietary thermo-catalytic system to transform post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-value specialty polymers. These polymers can be used as additives or modifiers for various applications, such as enhancing the performance and sustainability of asphalt, roofing, adhesives, coatings, and plastics.

• Founder(s): Pushkar Kumar and Domenic Di Mondo
• Founding year: 2010 
• Headquarters: Brantford, Ontario
• Funding: Venture – Series Unknown

20. Plastic Energy

Plastic Energy is a global company that offers a sustainable solution to help prevent plastic pollution, by transforming previously unrecyclable plastic waste into a valuable resource. The company uses a proprietary thermo-catalytic system to convert post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-value specialty polymers, which can be used as additives or modifiers for various applications, such as asphalt, roofing, adhesives, coatings, and plastics.

The company also has two commercial-scale production facilities in Seville and Almeria, Spain, which can process over 10,000 metric tons of plastic waste per year. The company leverages smart technology to manage and optimize its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to monitor its supply chain and production.

• Founder(s): Pushkar Kumar and Domenic Di Mondo
• Founding year: 2010 
• Headquarters: London, UK
• Funding: Venture – Series Unknown

21. Fuenix

Fuenix is a Dutch startup that offers a sustainable solution to the plastic pollution problem, by transforming mixed plastic waste into valuable raw materials. The company uses proprietary pyrolysis technology to convert sorted end-of-life mixed plastic waste into high-value hydrocarbons with virgin-like properties. These hydrocarbons can be used as feedstocks for the petrochemical industry to produce new plastics, or as additives for various applications, such as asphalt, roofing, adhesives, and coatings.

Fuenix is based in Weert, Netherlands, where it operates a commercial-scale production facility that can process over 10,000 metric tons of plastic waste per year. The company also has a research and development center in Enschede, Netherlands, where it collaborates with academic and industry partners to develop new products and applications.

• Founder(s): Sirt Mellema and Giel Braun
• Founding year: 2013 
• Headquarters: Weert, Netherlands
• Funding: Venture – Series Unknown

22. PCX

Plastic Credit Exchange is a Philippine startup that offers a platform for individuals and organizations to offset their plastic footprint by supporting verified plastic recovery and recycling projects. The company uses blockchain technology to create a transparent and traceable system that tracks the flow of plastic waste from collection to recycling, ensuring the integrity and accountability of the process.

Plastic Credit Exchange also works with various partners, such as corporations, local governments, NGOs, and communities, to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The company also has a global presence, with projects in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

• Founder(s): Nanette Medved-Po
• Founding year: 2019 
• Headquarters: Makati City, Philippines
• Funding: Undisclosed

23. Plastic Bank

Plastic Bank is a Canadian social enterprise that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The company builds recycling ecosystems in under-developed communities, where people can collect and exchange plastic waste for income and life-improving benefits, such as groceries, cooking fuel, school tuition, health insurance, digital connectivity, and fintech services. The company calls this process “Social Recycling”. Plastic Bank uses blockchain technology to create a transparent and traceable system that tracks the flow of plastic waste from collection to recycling, ensuring the integrity and accountability of the process.

The company also works with various partners, such as corporations, local governments, NGOs, and communities, to create a circular economy for plastics and empower collection communities to thrive. The recycled plastic is reborn as Social Plastic® feedstock and used in the production of products and packaging.

• Founder(s): David Katz and Shaun Frankson
• Founding year: 2013
• Headquarters: Vancouver, British Columbia
• Funding: Undisclosed

24. Next Generation Recycling Machines

Next Generation Recycling Machines (NGR) is a company that creates and manufactures innovative and future-oriented plastic recycling machines. NGR uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its plastic recycling machines.

For example, the company uses networked sensors, remote sensing, and cloud computing to collect data on waste collection, transportation, processing, and disposal.  The company also uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help NGR to demonstrate the value of waste management and inform decision-making.

 

• Founder(s): Josef Hochreiter
• Founding year: 1996
• Headquarters: Feldkirchen, Austria
• Funding: Grants

25. ClimeCo

ClimeCo is a global sustainability company that offers a platform for individuals and organizations to offset their plastic footprint by supporting verified plastic recovery and recycling projects. The company uses market-based solutions to create value for its customers and partners while advancing the low-carbon future and enhancing its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

ClimeCo manages a diverse portfolio of environmental commodities and sustainability solutions, such as carbon offsets, plastic credits, renewable energy credits (RECs), forecasted mitigation units (FMUs), criteria air pollutants, and water quality credits. The company provides comprehensive, vertically integrated solutions to help clients maximize their environmental assets, minimize regulatory costs, and achieve their ESG goals. The company also leverages technology to manage and optimize its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to monitor its supply chain and production.

• Founder(s): William Flederbach
• Founding year: 2009
• Headquarters: Boyertown, Pennsylvania
• Funding: Private Equity

26. cieTrade

cieTrade is a global provider of commodity trading and recycling software that offers business management and inventory solutions specifically for international trading houses, pulp and paper brokers, and commercial recycling plants. The company uses technology to help its clients manage their critical business data and operations from one place that can be instantly and securely accessed from anywhere.

• Founder(s): David Haber
• Founding year: 2000
• Headquarters: Stamford, Connecticut
• Funding: Undisclosed

27. Recycling Technologies

Recycling Technologies is a UK startup that aims to change the perception of waste by trading recyclable materials and achieving social and environmental impact. The company uses modular technology to convert post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-value specialty polymers, which can be used as additives or modifiers for various applications, such as asphalt, roofing, adhesives, coatings, and plastics.

• Founder(s): Adrian Griffiths
• Founding year: 2011
• Headquarters: Swindon, UK
• Funding: Equity Crowdfunding

28. Novoloop

Novoloop is a US startup that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The company uses a patented, low-carbon upcycling technology process called ATOD™ to transform unrecyclable plastic waste into high-quality chemicals and materials. These products can be used as additives or modifiers for various applications, such as footwear, sporting goods, automotive, and electronics.

The company also leverages smart technology to manage and streamline its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to optimize its collection and distribution network.

• Founder(s): Miranda Wang and Jeanny Yao
• Founding year: 2015
• Headquarters: Menlo Park, California
• Funding: Venture – Series A

29. Greenback Recycling Technologies

Greenback Recycling Technologies is a company that provides plastic recycling and waste management services for various sectors and applications. Greenback Recycling Technologies uses various technologies to monitor and measure the impact of its plastic recycling and waste management initiatives.

For example, the company uses AI, image recognition, and smart contracts in a blockchain to eliminate fraud and ensure transparency in waste collection and processing. The company also uses advanced chemical recycling technologies such as pyrolysis, depolymerization, and catalytic cracking to convert collected post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-quality recycled raw materials that can be used to create food-grade quality packaging.

• Founder(s): Dr. Martin Strobel
• Founding year: 2018 
• Headquarters: Zug, Switzerland
• Funding: Venture – Series A

30. Gemcorp Recycling

Gemcorp Recycling is a Nigerian startup that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The company uses technology to collect, process, and sell post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste, integrating informal waste workers, micro-entrepreneurs, and consumers into a formal value chain. Gemcorp Recycling also works with various partners, such as corporations, local governments, NGOs, and communities, to create a circular economy for plastics and empower collection communities to thrive. 

• Founder(s): Rajendra Sancheti and Navin Kumar Jain
• Founding year: 2019 
• Headquarters: Balogun, Oyo State, Nigeria
• Funding: Venture – Series Unknown

31. EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Ges.m.b.H

EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Ges.m.b.H is a global leader in plastic recycling systems that offers innovative and reliable solutions for various types of plastic waste. The company uses technology to transform post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-quality recycled plastics for various applications, such as packaging, construction, automotive, and electronics.

• Founder(s): Helmuth Schulz and Klaus Feichtinger
• Founding year: 1983 
• Headquarters: Ansfelden, Austria
• Funding: Grant

32. UpCircle

UpCircle is a US startup that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The company uses AI technology to analyze and optimize the plastic waste management process, from collection to recycling, using data-driven insights and recommendations.

• Founder(s): Alex Liu and Kevin Chen
• Founding year: 2018 
• Headquarters:  San Francisco, California
• Funding: Grant

33. Bigbelly

Bigbelly is a global leader in smart waste and recycling solutions that offers innovative and reliable products and services for public spaces. The company uses technology to transform the way organizations manage waste and recycling while saving time, fuel, and money and beautifying their public space.

• Founder(s): Jim Poss
• Founding year: 2003 
• Headquarters:  Needham, Massachusetts
• Funding: Private Equity

34. ReNew ELP

ReNew ELP is a UK startup that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The company uses a patented technology called HydroPRS™ (Hydrothermal Plastic Recycling Solution) to convert post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-value hydrocarbon feedstocks, which can be used as raw materials for the petrochemical industry to produce new plastics and other products.

ReNew ELP is based in Wilton, Teesside, UK, where it operates a state-of-the-art recycling facility that can process up to 80,000 tonnes of plastic waste per year. The company also leverages smart technology to manage and streamline its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to monitor its supply chain and production.

• Founder(s): Richard Daley
• Founding year: 2016 
• Headquarters:  Wilton, Teesside
• Funding: Grant

35. The WeighPay Group

The WeighPay Group is a global provider of software solutions that help organizations in the scrap metal, recycling, and waste management industries to manage their critical business data and operations from one place that can be instantly and securely accessed from anywhere. The company uses technology to transform the way organizations manage waste and recycling while saving time, fuel, and money and beautifying their public space.

• Founder(s): Stacy Duty
• Founding year: 2010 
• Headquarters: San Diego, California
• Funding: Grant

36. Alliance to End Plastic Waste

Alliance to End Plastic Waste is a global initiative that brings together companies, governments, NGOs, and communities to fight plastic pollution and create a circular economy for plastics. The initiative was launched in 2019 by more than 40 companies from the plastic value chain, such as BASF, Chevron Phillips Chemical, ExxonMobil, Dow Chemical, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings, Procter & Gamble, and Shell. The initiative is based in Singapore, where it operates as a non-governmental and non-profit organization.

The initiative aims to invest $1.5 billion over five years to support projects and solutions that can prevent and reduce plastic waste in the environment, especially in the oceans. The initiative focuses on four strategic pillars: infrastructure, innovation, education and engagement, and cleanup.

• Founder(s): 40 companies from the plastic value chain
• Founding year: 2019 
• Headquarters: Singapore
• Funding: Grant

37. EVK

EVK is a company that specializes in industrial imaging and sensor-based solutions for bulk sorting and inspection. Its products include hyperspectral imaging, inductive sensors, sensor fusion, and more. The company’s solutions apply to industrial data analytics, inspection and monitoring, and smart sorting.

EVK uses various technologies to monitor and measure the characteristics and composition of different types of materials, such as plastics, minerals, food, pharmaceuticals, and others. The company uses AI, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to analyze the data and generate insights, reports, dashboards, and recommendations. These technologies help EVK to demonstrate the value of industrial imaging and sensor-based solutions and inform decision-making.

• Founder(s): Dr. Helmut Rauchenschwandtner
• Founding year: 1987
• Headquarters: Raaba, Austria
• Funding: Venture – Series A

38. River Cleanup

River Cleanup is a Belgian nonprofit organization that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The organization uses technology to organize cleanups, change behavior, and transform organizations.

River Cleanup uses smart technology to manage and optimize its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to monitor its supply chain and production. The organization also leverages blockchain technology to create a transparent and traceable system that tracks the flow of plastic waste from collection to recycling, ensuring the integrity and accountability of the process. River Cleanup also offers digital solutions such as Kind Plastic, ClimaOne, Plastic-Offset Programs, and ground-level community collection drives.

• Founder(s): Thomas de Groote
• Founding year: 2019 
• Headquarters: Antwerp, Belgium
• Funding: Grant

39. Seabin

Seabin is a cleantech startup that aims to change the perception of waste by trading recyclable materials and achieving social and environmental impact. The company uses technology to collect, process, and sell post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste, integrating informal waste workers, micro-entrepreneurs, and consumers into a formal value chain.

Seabin also works with brand owners to help them realize their sustainable packaging goals by providing them with ethically sourced, locally produced recycled plastics. The company also leverages smart technology to manage and streamline its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to optimize its collection and distribution network.

• Founder(s): Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski
• Founding year: 2015 
• Headquarters: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Funding: Venture – Series Unknown

40. Plastiks

Plastiks is a greentech startup that aims to create a circular economy for plastics and prevent them from ending up in landfills or oceans. The company uses blockchain technology to connect people and businesses all around the world to fight plastic pollution by supporting plastic recovery activities through technology and NFTs. By providing plastic recovery with full transparency, the company aims to increase traceability and accountability within the value chain of plastics and challenge the market of plastic credits.

• Founder(s): André Vanyi-Robin, Daniel García, and Trym Lyngset
• Founding year: 2021 
• Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland
• Funding: Grant

41. Pyrowave

Pyrowave is a Canadian startup that offers a sustainable solution to the plastic pollution problem, by transforming mixed plastic waste into valuable raw materials. The company uses proprietary microwave technology to convert sorted end-of-life mixed plastic waste into high-value hydrocarbons with virgin-like properties. These hydrocarbons can be used as feedstocks for the petrochemical industry to produce new plastics, or as additives for various applications, such as asphalt, roofing, adhesives, and coatings.

Pyrowave is based in Montréal, Quebec, Canada, where it operates a commercial-scale production facility that can process over 10,000 metric tons of plastic waste per year. The company also has a research and development center in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where it collaborates with academic and industry partners to develop new products and applications.

• Founder(s): Jocelyn Doucet, Jean-Philippe Laviolette, and Jamal Chaouki
• Founding year: 2014 
• Headquarters: Montréal, Quebec, Canada
• Funding: Grant

42. Polystyvert

Polystyvert is a Canadian startup that aims to create a circular economy for styrene plastics, such as polystyrene, by using a dissolution recycling process. The company specializes in dissolving plastic waste in a solvent and then separating and purifying the resulting polymer solution. The dissolved plastic can then be regenerated into new plastic products with the same quality as virgin material. The company also leverages smart technology to manage and streamline its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to monitor its supply chain and production.

• Founder(s): Solenne Brouard Gaillot
• Founding year: 2011 
• Headquarters: Montréal, Quebec, Canada
• Funding: Grant

43. The Good Plastic Company

The Good Plastic Company is a European manufacturer of surface materials that helps brands to make a visible commitment to sustainability. The company uses technology to transform post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-quality recycled plastic sheets and panels, which can be used for various applications, such as wall panels, shelving, retail counters, signage, and storage.

The Good Plastic Company uses smart technology to manage and optimize its operations, such as using GPS tracking, mobile payments, and data analytics to monitor its supply chain and production. The company also leverages blockchain technology to create a transparent and traceable system that tracks the flow of plastic waste from collection to recycling, ensuring the integrity and accountability of the process.

• Founder(s): Arthur Limpens
• Founding year: 2019 
• Headquarters: Almere, the Netherlands
• Funding: Grant

44. Quantafuel

Quantafuel is a Norwegian recycling company that converts post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into low-carbon synthetic oil products that can replace virgin oil products in the production of new plastics, as well as development and operation in related services. The company uses a proprietary chemical recycling technology that involves pyrolysis, catalytic upgrading, and distillation to transform mixed plastic waste into high-value hydrocarbons with virgin-like properties.

• Founder(s): Kjetil Bøhn
• Founding year: 2014 
• Headquarters: Oslo, Norway
• Funding: Grant

45. Clariter

Clariter is a global cleantech company that offers recycling solutions for plastic waste. It uses patented technology to transform post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste into high-value, pure solvents, oils, and waxes. These products can be used in over a thousand industrial and consumer applications, such as paints, cleaners, inks, car and floor waxes, shoe polishes, candles, silicone sealants, etc.

• Founder(s): Ran J. Sharon
• Founding year: 2003 
• Headquarters: Luxembourg, Europe
• Funding: Private

Conclusion

Plastic recycling is a crucial step towards creating a sustainable future and reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste. By supporting and learning about the leading plastic recycling organizations and companies in the world, we can make a difference and contribute to a cleaner and healthier planet. The importance of plastic recycling cannot be understated, as it has numerous benefits, ranging from environmental conservation and resource preservation to economic growth and job creation. As individuals, we can play our part by reducing plastic consumption, recycling responsibly, and supporting the efforts of these companies and organizations. Together, we can make a positive impact and pave the way for a more sustainable world.

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