Plastic, paper, and glass waste is packaging waste that is regarded as general waste. It therefore falls under Municipal duties and is disposed of in general landfill site mostly run by Municipalities.

Municipal waste is currently the focus of recycling especially its packaging fraction. The industry for making glass, paper, and plastic are very different and each poses unique dynamics that affects their ability to be recycled.

Poor aggression from certain role players in the respective industries to pursue recycling is threatening the viability of recycling operations in spite of the environmental and perceived financial benefits.

This half-hearted approach to recycling is evident in the recovered volumes and prices of recyclables. PET has the most attractive prices followed by paper then glass.

In a free economy when industry economics are not yielding desired results, governments – as the last hope – need to step in and inspire progress through legislative means.

Download the technical paper here.