For years, using recycled plastic to make plastic products was cheap. By contrast, fossil fuel plastic was more expensive. Thus this sustainable option was an economic option too.

But now it is cheaper for major manufacturers to use new plastic.

According to one recent business report, recycled plastic now costs an extra $72 a tonne compared with newly-made plastic. This may be because of consumer demands. They are pushing for more recycled plastics in new products. Meanwhile, new plastic is becoming cheaper. This is because of a boom in petroleum chemical production from the U.S. The price increase of recycled plastic could cost sustainable manufacturers an extra $250 million a year.

Smaller manufacturers may also be forced to use new plastic to reduce costs. Makers of clear plastic bottles may also opt for new fossil-fuel based plastic to save money.

Plastic packaging makers are being pressured to use more recycled plastic. This is done in hopes of reducing the enormous amount of plastic pollution in the oceans.

The UK government plans to tax companies which don’t use at least 30% recycled plastic in their products. Additionally, the government is planning to increase the quantity of recycled plastic in the market.

This could mean incentives for new recycling plants. Additionally, recycling facilities may be improved at a local council level and recycled plastic could be imported.

This would help increase the amount of recycled plastic in circulation.

Q19: What is said about using recycled plastic to make plastic products in the past?
Q20: What has led to more competitive price for new plastic?
Q21: What does the UK government plan to do about plastic?