Black plastic packaging, often used by manufacturers to create a high-quality appearance, remains difficult to recycle. Packaging engineer Flora Fliegner notes that current sorting plants using Near-Infrared technology often fail to recognize these materials.
While special pigments exist to enable recognition, implementation is cost-intensive for disposal firms. Fliegner highlights a lack of political incentives for investment, even as the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation takes effect to boost rates.
The new regulation aims to eliminate deceptive packaging by 2030 and sets PFAS limits. However, BUND representative Janine Korduan criticizes the policy for focusing on end-of-chain recycling instead of prioritizing waste avoidance and reusable systems.