Recycling of flexibles in the informal sector faces further barriers regarding scale-up timeframes and financing, and end-market development. For the very small formats (e.g. sachets) these barriers may be insurmountable. Given that in many of the geographies serviced by the informal sector scaled recycling systems for flexibles are many years away, upstream innovation to move away from single-use flexibles becomes of even higher importance — and presents a significant opportunity.
However, despite these inherent limitations, solutions for recycling flexibles will still be required (bearing in mind that before recycling systems are pursued as a strategy, opportunities for direct elimination, innovative elimination and reusereuseThe repeated use of a product or component for its intended purpose without significant modification. should always be pursued first and foremost). Where recycling is pursued as a strategy in geographies serviced by the informal sector, the best option, from both a social and economic point of view, is to scale recycling systems through establishing an inclusive waste management system.
Please see page 5 for the key actions.
