Part 5/9:
Innovative recycling companies like Alba are tailoring their processes based on end use to improve profitability. Knowing the source of feedstock and applying specialized handling equipment ensures optimal quality output. The value of recycled plastics influences the volume collected—higher-value plastics incentivize more extensive collection and processing.
Economies of scale also play a vital role. Currently, plastics with lower volumes are more expensive to recycle, which impacts overall efficiency. Factors such as oil prices directly influence the competitiveness of recycled versus virgin plastics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, low oil prices suppressed the cost of producing new plastics, making recycling less economically attractive.