Futureproof: Tackling the low recycling rate and circular economy for plastics

Many companies have complained of a shortage of recyclable plastics globally, which hampers their progress in integrating recycled plastic into their products. A contributing factor could be the low plastic recycling rate.

A similar situation is observed in Malaysia. The National Solid Waste Management Department has set a recycling target of 40% by 2025. However, a report by the World Bank found that Malaysia recycled just 24% of its key plastic resins in 2019. But Malaysia does not lack recycling infrastructure, observes Ellen Martin, director of impact and insights at The Circulate Initiative (TCI). The non-profit organisation is committed to solving plastic pollution by establishing circular, inclusive and investible recycling systems in emerging markets.

The article also appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly’s print edition.