Research on sector-specific issues in the value chain for building a plastic recovery system

Abstract

The new plastic law lays out the role of each business entity and consumers in the processes they are involved in, and encourages them to take action to reduce the use of plastics and recycle waste plastics throughout the value chain. However, business operators are only involved in the processes related to their respective operations, and it is difficult to say that efforts are being made across the entire value chain. Therefore, in this paper, we interviewed business operators at different stages in the value chain related to plastic recycling and experts specializing in plastic issues. As a result, rather than focusing on the development of individual technologies, it was demonstrated that cross-industry dialogue should be accelerated, and that vertical discussions and systems that transcend industry lines are essential for the collection of waste plastics. The efforts of individual companies are not fully utilized as a system, and it became clear that it is necessary to understand and review the operational status of technology and systems on site.