ISO/DIS 15270-1:2026(en)

ISO TC 61/SC 14

Secretariat: DIN

Date: 2025-12-12

Plastics — Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastics waste — Part 1: General principles

© ISO 2026

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Contents

Foreword iv

Introduction v

1 Scope 1

2 Normative references 1

3 Terms and definitions 1

4 Principles of plastics recovery and recycling 5

4.1 Enable the circular flow of materials 5

4.2 Enable the recovery of previously unrecoverable materials 5

4.3 Material recovery for recycling 5

5 Design and traceability for recovery and recycling 5

6 Selection of reduction, material recovery, recycling, energy recovery of plastic waste 5

6.1 General 5

6.2 Typical recovery and recycling steps 6

6.2.1 Identification 7

6.2.2 Collection 7

6.2.3 Sorting and Bailing 7

6.2.4 Transportation 8

6.2.5 Preparation 8

6.2.6 Recycling of the recovered material 8

6.2.7 Processing of materials 8

6.2.8 Repolymerization of plastic 8

6.2.9 Recycling by biological processes 8

6.3 Limitations and non-recoverable waste 8

7 Material recycling and recovery 8

7.1 General 8

7.1.1 Mechanical recycling 9

7.1.2 Physical recycling 9

7.1.3 Chemical recycling 9

7.1.4 Biological or organic recycling 9

7.2 Energy recovery 9

8 Criteria for acceptance 9

8.1 General 9

8.2 Quality of recycled material 9

Annex A (informative) Schematic, simplified diagram of recycling and recovery options of plastics waste 11

Annex B (informative) Diagrammatic representation of a recycling system 12

Bibliography 13

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.

This document was prepared by ISO/TC 61, Plastics, Subcommittee SC 14, Environmental aspects.

ISO 15270-1 cancels and replaces the second edition (ISO 15270:2008), which has been technically revised. The main changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:

— ISO 15270 has been turned into a series of five parts, ISO 15270-1 is the succession of the essential part of the second edition (2008) and specific methods and technological description of recycling methods are added as ISO 15270-2, ISO 15270-3, ISO 15270-4 and ISO 15270-5;

— Several terms and definitions (in Clause 3) have been removed from ISO 15270-1 and are included in ISO 15270-2, ISO 15270-3, ISO 15270-4 and ISO 15270-5. The common terms and definitions have been kept in ISO 15270-1 and referred to ISO 472:2013.

— Design and traceability for recovery and recycling was added as guidance to Clause 4.

— Schematic diagram in Annex A and Annex B were modified and now include all recycling and recovery methods.

— Bibliography was updated.

A list of all parts in the ISO 15270 series can be found on the ISO website.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.

Introduction

Plastics are a family of materials that have many desirable characteristics and are used in a myriad of products and applications. In the transition to a circular and sustainable economy, proper management of plastic material is necessary. However, the use of plastics is currently outpacing the global infrastructure to collect and dispose or recycle these materials effectively. This standard-series, and this specific standard, is intended to support an increase of plastic recycling rates, reduce demand on finite fossil resources, and minimize environmental impacts by closing the resource loop.

To establish a sustainable society, circular economy of plastics, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where all the plastics are circulated, source reduction, reuse, repairability and remanufacturing will be the top priority so that the smallest possible quantities of materials become waste. Then recycling should be promoted, keeping used and exhausted plastics valuable in the circular economy systems and reducing landfill, incineration or casting in nature. Accordingly, this leads the reduction of carbon dioxide emission.

ISO 15270 series documents show the guidelines of recovery and recycling methods of plastic waste. These consist of the following five parts, under the general title Plastics — Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastics waste. These parts are indispensable for the application of this document.

— Part 1: General principles

— Part 2: Mechanical recycling

— Part 3: Physical recycling

— Part 4: Chemical recycling

— Part 5: Biological/Organic recycling

This document has been developed to assist all plastics industry stakeholders in the development of

— a sustainable global infrastructure for plastics recovery and recycling;

— a sustainable market for recovered plastics materials and their derived manufactured products.

For the reduction of plastics waste and in support of the objectives of sustainable development, top priority should be given on a product life-cycle basis to

— increase and optimize the reuse of polymers as recycled material, as an feedstock for new products;

— increase and optimize collection and sorting of plastic waste because the majority of recycling technologies (if not all) need input streams sorted by polymer type;

— optimize the recycling loops, open and closed, for plastic recycling via design for recycling;

— prioritize recycling technologies with improved recycling and environmental friendly recovery rate (material and energy efficient recycling).

Recycling may result in the same starting material that can be used for the same purposes, or it may result in different materials to be used in the same or different sectors. The material recovered through recycling needs to meet quality criteria and adhere to market requirements. Recovery in the form of energy is not considered recycling.

Efficient and discriminatory collection procedures are essential for all plastics recovery operations, proper process monitoring, and control procedures are required for all plastics recovery operations. These procedures should include the establishment of specific guidelines and specifications covering recovered plastics, including, where appropriate, rules for traceability and assessment of conformity.

This document is intended to provide a valuable resource that is globally relevant, no matter which legislative or regulatory framework for plastics recovery and recycling governs its application. In order to facilitate adoption of the standard within the contexts of diverse national and regional legislative and regulatory environments, the following considerations are emphasized:

a) The subject of plastics recovery and recycling are often intermingled with conversations on solid waste and frequently applies terminology, technology, economics and infrastructure that are based on solid-waste management concepts. These concepts have consequently tended to define the legislative and regulatory environments referred to above.

b) Alternative perspectives for plastic recovery and recycling that are more comprehensive than those inherent to the solid-waste management model are available based on the concepts of integrated resource management and sustainable development. Integrated resource management focuses on more extensive systems than solid-waste management. It applies full life-cycle analysis to achieve better understanding of the resource conservation and eco-efficiency implications including use phase and end of life outcomes, of resource management strategies and policies. In this approach, the management of both energy and material resources are viewed within an integrated perspective. The concept of integrated resource management should start in the beginning of any product development including the design for recovery and recycling principles. The concept of sustainable development, while also applying life cycle thinking to waste and resource management, is more comprehensive than integrated resource management in that it requires consideration of the so-called three pillars of sustainable development, viz. ecological benefit, economic growth and social progress.

Significant national and regional efforts have been undertaken to provide legislative and regulatory frameworks applicable to one or more market sectors. The existence of such legal and regulatory frameworks must be kept in mind by users of this document. In the interest of ensuring global relevance, an effort has been made to avoid terminology and definitions that appear to promote one legislative or regulatory framework over another. The intent is that terminology and definitions included in this document embrace, rather than exclude, different interpretations. A specific example is the question of whether or not a material must be defined as waste before it can be recovered. There is no universal agreement on this point and the document attempts to accommodate a range of current and possible future definitions and interpretations of the term “waste”.

Plastics — Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastics waste — Part 1: General principles

This document specifies guidance for the development of standards and specifications covering plastics waste recovery, including recycling. The document establishes the different options for the recovery of plastics waste arising from post-industrial and post-consumer sources as illustrated diagrammatically in Annex A. Consequently, the process stages, steps, and terminology presented in this document are intended to be of general applicability presented in Annex B.

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes requirement of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 472:2013, Plastics — Vocabulary

ISO 17422, Plastics — Environmental aspects — General guidelines for their inclusion in standards

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 472 and the following apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp

— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org

3.1

biological recycling

organic recycling

aerobic (composting) or anaerobic (digestion) treatment of compostable plastics waste together with bio-waste under controlled conditions to produce stabilized organic soil improver

Note 1 to entry: The term includes industrial processes based on living microorganisms capable of converting bio-waste into valuable products.

Note 2 to entry: Biowaste, the term biowaste can have different meaning in different parts of the world. In some cases, it refers to hazardous biological waste, such as hospital waste. In other cases, it refers to biodegradable waste, such as food and garden waste. In this standard, the term is used in later sense and is defined in ISO 15270 part 5.

[SOURCE: ISO 15270-5:2025, 3.8, modified — Note 2 to entry was added.]

3.2

chemical recycling

conversion of recovered materials primarily from plastic waste into chemical substances by changing the chemical structure, excluding energy recovery and incineration

Note 1 to entry: Technologies that enable chemical recycling include gasification, solvolysis, pyrolysis, hydrothermal treatment and other developing technologies.

Note 2 to entry: Chemical substances can be used as produced or further chemically processed into plastic materials or other materials.

Note 3 to entry: In general, chemical recycling can utilize not only recovered plastic material but also other recovered materials (such as recovered organic materials, shredded automotive materials, etc.) as input, but inputs in this standard are limited to recovered plastic materials.

Note 4 to entry: In some contexts, the term “recovered materials” is used instead of “waste.”

3.3

collection

logistical process of moving plastics waste from its source (end of use or end of life) to a place where it can be sorted as part of the recovery process

3.4

consumer

individual member of the general public or commercial, industrial and institutional organisation purchasing or using goods, property or services in their role as end-users of the product

[SOURCE: ISO 14025:2006, 3.16, modified — “or commercial, industrial and institutional organisation” was added; “for private purposes” was replaced by “in their role as end-users of the product”.]

3.5

contaminant

any substance or material not intentionally added

Note 1 to entry: The term “impurity’’ is a deprecated synonym of contaminant and should not be used.

Note 2 to entry: Contaminants can interfere with reprocessing and product-property performance because of poor miscibility with the targeted output material or because of their chemical composition. Contaminants may furthermore restrict recycled materials from being used in certain applications.

Note 3 to entry: Contaminants may also be undefined as in the case of contaminants such as labels, closures, metal inserts, dirt and residual contents of plastics containers or packaging.

3.6

energy recovery

production of useful energy through direct and controlled combustion

Note 1 to entry: Solid-waste incinerators producing hot water, steam and/or electricity are a common form of energy recovery.

Note 2 to entry: From a technical point of view, the term “energy recovery” applies to any process where the calorific value or the sensible heat of a material is wholly, or partially, converted into useful energy.

[SOURCE: ISO 17422:2018, 3.12]

3.7

environmental aspect

element of an organization’s activities or products or services that interacts or can interact with the environment

[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.2, modified – Notes to entry were removed.]

3.8

environmental impact

change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organization’s environmental aspects

[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.4]

3.9

landfill

waste disposal for the deposit of waste on to or into land under controlled or regulated conditions

3.10

material recovery

separating and processing waste to obtain materials that can be reused or recycled

[SOURCE: ISO 24161:2022, 3.1.3.8]

3.11

mechanical recycling

processing of plastics waste into recycled material or products without intentionally changing the chemical structure of the material

3.12

physical recycling

process in which a plastic is subjected to a series of purification steps to separate the target polymer/polymers from other polymers, additives and other added materials such as fibers, fillers, colorants and contaminants, resulting in recovered polymers, which remain largely unaffected chemically by the process and can be reformulated into plastics

Note 1 to entry: This process may also enable the recovery of other valuable components of plastics.

Note 2 to entry: Currently, most physical recycling methods are solvent-based methods.

3.13

post-consumer plastics waste

material diverted from the waste stream, generated by the end-users of products, that has fulfilled its intended purpose or can or will no longer be used (including material returned from within the distribution chain)

Note 1 to entry: The term “post-use” is sometimes used synonymously.

Note 2 to entry: Post-consumer plastics waste typically comprises both waste from household end-users and from commercial end-users.

[SOURCE: EN 17615:2022, 3.192, modified — “plastic waste” was replaced by “material diverted from the waste stream”; “or will” was added; “for its intended purpose” was replaced by “(including material returned from within the distribution chain)”; Note 2 to entry was added.]

3.14

post-industrial plastics waste

pre-consumer plastics waste

material diverted from the product stream during a manufacturing process or before it reaches the consumer

Note 1 to entry: This term includes: (a) materials and production intermediates that cannot be reused in the same production process; (b) damaged or defective products, surplus or obsolete stock from producers, distributors and wholesalers which have not been placed on the market.

Note 2 to entry: Pre-consumer and post-industrial are often used synonymously.

[SOURCE: ISO 14009:2020, 3.2.8, modified — Term was changed from “pre-consumer material”; “from the waste stream” was replaced by “from the product stream”; “or before it reaches the consumer” was added; Note 1 to entry has been deleted; new Notes 1 and 2 to entry have been added.]

3.15

recovered plastics

plastics that have been separated, diverted or removed from the solid-waste stream in order to be recycled or used to substitute primary(virgin) raw plastics

Note 1 to entry: See ISO 14021.

3.16

recovery

process of diverting material from the waste stream which includes collection, separation, sorting, processing, and determination of further cycling of the material through another use or process

Note 1 to entry: Recovery includes material and energy recovery.

3.17

recyclates

recycled material

material that has been reprocessed from recovered material through a manufacturing process and made into a product or intermediate that can be incorporated a product.

Note 1 to entry: As soon as the recovered plastic material has been treated in such a way that it is ready to replace a virgin product, material or substance in a production process, it loses its characteristics as waste. However, legal end of waste status is determined by applicable regulatory requirements.

Note 2 to entry: A recycled material can be used for its original purpose or a different purpose.

3.18

recycling

processing of recovered plastics into products, materials or substances to be used again for the original application or for other applications excluding energy recovery and materials used as fuels

Note 1 to entry: Recycling can be mechanical, chemical, physical or biological.

3.19

reuse, noun

use a product, object or material again, either for its same or similar purpose, without significantly altering the physical form of the object or material

Note 1 to entry: Utilization intended by the original design can involve either single-use or multiple-uses by the initial user or customer over time.

Note 2 to entry: Minor treatment (e.g., cleaning) of the product can be needed by the user to allow for reuse.

Note 3 to entry: In some cases, resources, such as water, are considered as a product, in which case, the purpose of “original design” is not applicable.

[SOURCE: ISO 24161: 2022, 3.1.1.8, modified — “a product” was added; “original purpose” was replaced by “same purpose”; Notes 1, 2 and 3 to entry were added.]

3.20

virgin material

primary material

material which has never been processed into any form of an end-use product

[SOURCE: ISO 21067-2:2015, 2.4.4, modified — Term was changed from “primary raw material” and “virgin raw material”; “an” was added before “end use product”.]

3.21

waste

any material or object which the holder discards, or intends to discard, or is required to discard

Note 1 to entry: The assignment of value to waste as a resource is linked, in part, to the availability of technology (e.g. landfill mining).

Note 2 to entry: Some regulations require the holder to dispose of certain types of wastes, while others assign value to waste.

Note 3 to entry: Value can be assigned to waste as a result of a need from other interested parties, at which point the resource is no longer considered waste, but a recovered resource.

Note 4 to entry: Legal end of waste status is determined by applicable regulatory requirements.

[SOURCE: ISO 472:2013, 2.1710, modified — Notes 1, 2, 3 and 4 to entry have been added.]

Recycling of plastics assist with enabling the circular flow of materials that are core to preserving of resources as well as to achieving climate change goals, environmental health goals, and ecosystem restoration and the conservation of resources in both the technical and biological cycles.

New commercial-grade technologies assist with processing and repurposing of unrecovered waste plastics.

Diversion, collection, separation and recovery of material intended for processing through a recycling facility are steps in the recycling process but do not constitute as recycling on their own.

Recovery and selection of recycling method for post-industrial plastic waste is simpler than post-consumer recycling as the history and composition of post-industrial waste are often better characterized. However, the design of a new process for recycling a product that was not previously perceived as recyclable can still be challenging. Traceability could be a helpful tool for identification of material and its composition as well as its history for using any recycling or recovery technology. Recycling methods should be selected according to the analysis of the waste (type of waste, level of contamination), on the recycling plants available on the area, on economic evaluations, on the use of the end product from the recycling process (e. g. recyclate, compost) and environmental impact assessment.

The assessment on regarding the environmental impact of the presence of the hazardous substances of the plastics waste should be included to choice of recycling technology as a sustainability criterium.

According to ISO 14001 to manage environmental responsibilities before tackling the recovery and the recycling of plastics, organizations should work on reduction, repair, reuse, remanufacture and refurbish options using life cycle assessment to prolong the use phase of products and to minimize the resources used. Practicing the reduce, reuse, refurbish/repair, recycling, recovery and disposal hierarchy the transition towards a circular economy will support the UN SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production), as well as segregation at source towards preventing contamination and maximizing resource potential.

The individual recycling methods/technologies are described in ISO 15270-2, ISO 15270-3, ISO 15270-4 and ISO 15270-5.

Selection of the appropriate recovery option will depend on many factors, such as the quality, quantity and availability of the plastics waste, the availability and capability of existing technologies and equipment, and the relevant recovery targets in terms of material or energy content requirements. Relevant selection criteria could also include the relative costs, product quality, competitiveness and environmental performance of the available options. Access to markets for the recovered plastics, other materials or energy is an important consideration too.

From a lifecycle perspective, priority should typically be given to material recycling technologies rather than energy recovery and landfilling that should come last.

NOTE Concepts and definitions of recovery are continually evolving. The basic principle of recovery lies in the transformation of an input into an output (product or intermediate). Recycling is considered to be completed when recycled materials, or products have been manufactured, or energy has been generated, in accordance with consensus-standardized criteria (see Annex A and Annex B).

Options involving the beneficial re-use of plastics products and the integration of plastics recovery processes are important downstream components of sustainable development.

The selection of methodologies and processes for the management of plastics waste available from post-industrial sources and post-consumer sources may be approached using various strategies, all of which should include a preliminary analysis of the available recovery options. In general, plastics recovery technologies can be divided into two classes:

a) Material recycling and recovery

b) Energy recovery in the form of heat, steam or electricity generation (e.g. in a combined heat and power incineration plant) using plastics waste as substitutes for primary fossil fuel resources.

As the optimal recovery option depends on many prevailing circumstances, sustainability analysis of life cycle should be applied to decide, depending on the type and composition of the plastic waste, which options are environmentally, socially, and economically more favourable and sustainable. For example, in case of mixed or composite plastic waste, when mechanical or physical recycling are not adequate methods, chemical recycling or recovery could be a suitable option. Moreover, plastic waste may be managed utilizing a hierarchical framework comprising life-cycle strategies for prevention and minimization both of the volume of waste and of its potentially adverse environmental impact as described in ISO 17422.

Recycling and recovery methods have purpose to recapture the value of the materials contained in discarded products for further use in a value chain through mechanical, physical, chemical, or biological processing. Recycling and recovery of plastic waste requires several participants in the value chain redirecting materials otherwise destined for disposal. Each participant in the process is important to achieving the objective of recovery and reincorporation into a new product.

Recycling consists of several steps depending on the recovery or recycling method. The first step is part of the recovery process and includes such as identification, collection, and sorting. There are some common steps such as identification, collection, and delivery to the second step, preparation for processing for each method. The second step may include debaling, sorting, washing, separating, segregating, baling. Once prepared for processing, the material is processed through a technology that either chops, melts, dissolves, chemically changes or depolymerizes the material. It is during this third step that recovered plastics shifts to recycled material or chemicals, as this is the selected "recycling or recovery" approach core to the process. Without completing a processing step, the material cannot be considered returned to the cycle. Sometimes the recovery procedure is one processing step, but often there are several steps in which the materials have to be processed using mechanical, physical, chemical or biological methods. Finally, in the fourth step, once a recycled material (i.e. recyclate) has been obtained, it can be used to replace primary(virgin) materials or products.

The steps outlined below typically occur in this order, however it is possible that one step occurs before the other or perhaps may require conducting one step and reiterating a prior step to ensure separation, or cleanliness for example. In some cases, especially the downstream steps, not all steps will be required or completed as they will not align with the technology output.

Identifying materials for recycling is the first step in returning material. Consumers or end users shall be able to identify that a material is eligible for recycling in their local area. Further identification is required during the collection (6.2.2) and sorting (6.2.3) phases.

The collection stage involves the physical segregation of material appropriate for cycling and diversion from the traditional waste stream. Key players in this stage include waste haulers, recycling collection facilities, drop off points, government agencies, contracted collection agencies and others. Once the material is collected, it may be sent for further sorting.

The sorting stage involves separating materials further into specific resin types of plastic or simply to separate the plastic from other target materials. In this stage, the material may be baled or batched or classified for further use.

After sortation, the material is ready to be sent to specific technologies that align with the profile of that material. Items incompatible with the available technology could be sent to another processor, or if incompatible with the entire recycling system, may be sent for energy recovery or landfill.

Sorting of thermoplastics and thermoset plastics

Polymers are distinguished between linear (thermoplastic) and crosslinked polymer chains.

More than 60 % of all polymers produced globally are thermoplastics. (Depending on the source even up to 80 %.)

The main difference between thermoset plastics (3-dimensional crosslinked polymer chains) and thermoplastics (linear individual polymer chains) is their behaviour at high temperatures.

Thermoplastics

— can be melted again at certain temperatures and repeatedly reshaped as desired. Thermoplastics dissolve in organic solvents;

— can be prepared for reuse with physical processes.

Thermoset plastics:

— After hardening, the shape does not change even at high temperatures. The softening point is higher than the degradation temperature.

— (Elastomers are slightly crosslinked or linear polymers with rubber-like characteristic. At high temperatures, they will decompose as well. For the sake of simplicity, they are therefore not discussed separately).

— Thermoset plastics (and elastomers) can only be treated by chemical processes (e.g. pyrolysis, gasification).

Transportation is required to move materials through each step of the recycling system. Transportation choices may vary depending on location and need.

Materials sorted may require additional preparation or cleaning prior to sending the material through the selected technology for recycling.

Once the recovered material is added into the recycling technology, and processed, the material is considered to be recycled. The engineering materials from physical recycling are known as recycled materials. The recycled materials from chemical recycling are chemical raw materials. The technologies associated with recycling plastic are identified in ISO 15270-2, ISO 15270-3 and ISO 15270-4.

In biological recycling, compostable plastic material can be recovered together with bio-waste and delivered to bio-waste treatment plants can be added to a biological system for degradation and assimilation into the compost in order to be considered recycled, this process is outlined in 15270-5.

After completing the recycling step in a technology process defined in ISO 15270-2, ISO 15270-3 and ISO 15270-4, the recycled materials, intermediates, or products can be processed through additional steps (via open and closed loop). These processing steps are outside the scope of this document.

After completing the recycling step from specific technologies, such as mechanical or physical recycling technologies, it is possible to produce new plastic polymers without any additional reaction. With specific chemical recycling technologies, like solvolysis, it is possible to directly produce new plastic polymers and resins from recycled materials. It is also possible to reprocess intermediates from other chemical recycling technologies into new plastic polymers and resins, however additional processing steps are required.

During the biological recycling process, the biodegradable plastic material will be degraded by the microorganisms. The plastic degrades through the aerobic or anaerobic processes to produce carbon dioxide or methane, water, heat and biomass. Biomass (e.g. compost) is used as a soil improver, a product for agriculture and horticulture. For further details, see ISO 15270-5.

In all stages, losses will occur, and non-target materials will be sent to landfill or incineration. In some cases, materials incompatible with mechanical recycling may be sent to physical or chemical recycling facilities and vice versa.

In addition to reuse, material recovery of plastics waste encompasses four distinct recycling routes: mechanical recycling, physical recycling, chemical recycling and recovery included biological recycling. For all recycling routes, an effective waste management regime needs to be established to support the efficient separation and sorting of high-quality plastic wastes into recovered materials for the appropriate recycling routes. Effective traceability and material identification systems, deposit and take back schemes supports plastic recycling and recovery. Some steps such as separation and sorting, identification before choosing of technology for material recycling or recovery are needed. Suitable recycling and/or recovery technology; mechanical recycling, physical recycling, chemical recycling or recovery including biological recycling should be chosen depending on the result of these steps.

Mechanical recycling is a technology using physical methods based on heat (thermal process to change the aggregate state from solid to liquid) and shear force to prepare thermoplastic polymers from plastic waste for reuse of this material without significantly changing the chemical structure of the material. The output is a recyclate. Detailed methods, technologies and specifications of mechanical recycling are described in ISO 15270-2.

Physical recycling is a technology for recycling of a polymer without significantly changing the chemical structure and to separate, contaminants, additives and other polymers from plastic waste material by physical process such as solvent extraction and filtration. Detailed methods, technologies and specifications of physical recycling are described in ISO 15270-3.

Chemical recycling is a class of chemical conversion technologies and can be used for all kinds of plastics, including thermoplastic, thermoset and composite plastics and more complex, mixed products like high filled thermoplastic products or products which consist of several material other than plastics. Chemical recycling and recovery consist of several technologies such as hydrolysis, cracking, pyrolysis, gasification or depolymerization in appropriate solvents with/without heterogeneous, homogeneous or enzymatic catalysis, to convert plastic and composite wastes to various output and feedstock depending on the variety and complexity of the waste. The output are chemicals raw-materials. Detailed methods, technologies and specifications are described in ISO 15270-4.

Plastics that meet (i) biodegradation (ii) disintegration during biological waste treatment process (i. e. composting).

Detailed methods, technologies and specifications of biological or organic recycling are described in ISO 15270-5.

Energy recovery is a viable option for consideration with plastics materials in the same way as the other recovery options discussed in this document if utilization of CO₂ after incineration will be done. It is less prioritized than reduction and reuse, repair or refurbish plastics as well as mechanical, physical, chemical and biological recycling and recovery concerning sustainability.

Recycled material can lead to the creation of products (i.e. intermediate, finished) that may carry core characteristics as virgin material. The quality of the products can be tested and determined in the same manner as any virgin materials.

For further information on developing a quality management system, refer to the ISO 9000 series.

Throughout each chosen recycling or recovery processes, substantial changes will occur. It is important to ensure the quality, safety, and functionality of the recyclate for use in next generation products. Therefore, the quality of recycled material as well the environmental impacts should be assessed. Through assessment, the pace of adoption for various uses, as well as conditions for triggering adoption should be investigated. The criteria for the acceptance of recyclate for a specific application are governed by the requirements of the application and by the agreement between the supplier and the user.

1. 
   (informative)
   
   Schematic, simplified diagram of recycling and recovery options of plastics waste

A schematic, simplified diagram of recycling and recovery options of plastics waste is given in Figure A.1.

Figure A.1 — Schematic, simplified diagram of recycling and recovery options of plastics waste

1. 
   (informative)
   
   Diagrammatic representation of a recycling system

A diagrammatic representation of a recycling system is given in Figure B.1.

Key

<graphic></graphic> optional

Figure A.2 — Diagrammatic representation of a recycling system

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[1] ISO 1043‑1, Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — Part 1: Basic polymers and their special characteristics

[2] ISO 1043‑2, Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — Part 2: Fillers and reinforcing materials

[3] ISO 1043‑3, Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — Part 3: Plasticizers

[4] ISO 1043‑4, Plastics — Symbols and abbreviated terms — Part 4: Flame retardants

[5] ISO 9000, Quality management systems — Fundamentals and vocabulary

[6] ISO 11469, Plastics — Generic identification and marking of plastics products

[7] ISO 14001:2004, Environmental management systems — Requirements with guidance for use

[8] ISO 14021, Environmental labels and declarations — Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling)

[9] ISO 14025:2006, Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental declarations — Principles and procedures

[10] ISO 18606, Packaging and the environment — Organic recycling

[11] ISO 24161, Waste collection and transportation management — Vocabulary

[12] ISO 16929:2002, Plastics — Determination of the degree of disintegration of end of lifes under defined composting conditions in a pilot-scale test

[13] ISO 17088, Plastics — Organic recycling — Specifications for compostable plastics

[14] ISO 23517, Plastics — Soil biodegradable materials for mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture — Requirements and test methods regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity and control of constituents

[15] ISO 22403, Plastics — Assessment of the intrinsic biodegradability of materials exposed to marine inocula under mesophilic aerobic laboratory conditions — Test methods and requirements

[16] ISO 59004:2024, Circular economy — Vocabulary, principles and guidance for implementation

[17] EN 13432, Packaging — Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation — Test scheme and evaluation criteria for the final acceptance of packaging

[18] EN 13437, Packaging and material recycling — Criteria for recycling methods — Description of recycling processes and flow chart

[19] CWA 14243, Post-consumer tyre materials and applications

[20] EN 17615:2022, Plastics —Environmental aspects — Vocabulary

[21] EN 14899:2005, Characterization of waste — Sampling of waste materials — Framework for the preparation and application of a Sampling Plan

[22] EN 15342, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterization of polystyrene (PS) recyclates

[23] EN 15343, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Plastics recycling traceability and assessment of conformity and recycled content

[24] EN 15344, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterisation of polyethylene (PE) recyclates

[25] EN 15345, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterisation of polypropylene (PP) recyclates

[26] EN 15346, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterisation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) recyclates

[27] EN 15347, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterisation of plastics wastes

[28] EN 15348, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) recyclates

[29] CEN/TR 15353, Plastics — Recycled plastics — Guidelines for the development of standards for recycled plastics

[30] EN 17134, Classification and marking of plastics recyclates — General

[31] ASTM D 6400, Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics

[32] M. J. Staplevan and F. I. Hai, Science, 383 958, (2024)

Go Suzuki, et al, Environ. Poll, 348, 123855, (2024)