Transition of the mixed plastic household waste value chain

Abstract

Packaging plastics account for the majority of the household waste plastics. These plastics can be divided into a number of types of plastics, namely PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, EPS and others. However, many plastic packages consist of different types of plastics and are often contaminated, therefore these plastics end up in the mixed plastics. While monostreams of plastic waste still have a certain value the mixed plastics are worthless and accumulating. With an ever-increasing amount of mixed plastic waste, it is very important to recycle these plastics too. The EU, the Dutch government and municipalities in the Netherlands all have their sustainability goals. Almere as a municipality in the Netherlands wants to create their own mixed plastic household waste (MPHW) value chain to reduce their total amount of residual waste per citizen.

The aim of this research is to find out how the municipality of Almere can encourage local recycling of MPHW. The research question of this research is therefore: What are opportunities to stimulate the niche of mixed plastic household waste recycling, in the municipality of Almere, and how can this be organized?

To answer the research question there is made an overview of the plastic waste recycling infrastructure in the Netherlands and interviews are held with the municipality of Almere and with companies that are active in the recycling of MPHW. To be able to analyze the developments a theoretical framework has been designed which is based on the multi-level perspective, strategic niche management and business model innovation.

The results show that municipalities in the Netherlands, such as Almere, have gained more control over their own waste processing. Almere can stimulate developments in the local niche for recycling MPHW by creating the right conditions such as a guaranteed supply of MPHW and demand for products made from these plastics. Technological innovations in the recycling of mixed plastics can be conducive to the success of the niche when Almere brings the various players together. Successful development of the local MPHW niche in Almere can stimulate other municipalities to follow their example.