Plastic Waste Management Market Report 2025

The plastic waste management market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $38.85 billion in 2024 to $40.65 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to strong economic growth in emerging markets, corporate initiatives for plastic waste, technological advancements, and increased use of plastics across various industrial sectors.

The plastic waste management market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $51.11 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to strong economic growth in emerging markets, corporate initiatives for plastic waste, technological advancements, and an increased use of plastics across various industrial sectors. Major trends in the forecast period include developing new technological solutions, focusing on zero-waste packaging platforms, leveraging artificial intelligence for efficient management of recycling, focusing on upcycle process technologies, and adopting eco-friendly viable technologies.

The surge in awareness about plastic management is anticipated to play a pivotal role in propelling the growth of the plastic waste management industry. The increased consciousness regarding plastic management motivates various end-users to opt for recycled plastic, thereby fostering the expansion of the plastic waste management sector. Notably, numerous companies are taking substantial strides towards adopting reusable plastics as part of their commitment to sustainable practices. A noteworthy example is Coca-Cola, a prominent US-based beverage company, which, in February 2022, announced an industry-leading objective to significantly enhance its use of reusable packaging. The company aims to have a minimum of 25% of all beverages sold in refillable plastic bottles or containers by 2030. This heightened awareness is poised to contribute to more effective plastic waste management practices, thereby driving industry growth.

The increasing demand for packaged food is anticipated to drive the growth of the plastic waste management market in the coming years. The growing volume of food packaging waste is seen as a pressing issue in all industrialized nations. This trend is largely influenced by changing eating habits and evolving lifestyles, which have led to a surge in consumer demand for packaged products. For instance, in January 2024, the SupplySide Food & Beverage Journal, a US-based publication focused on the food and beverage industry, reported that frozen food retail sales rose by 7.9%, reaching a total of $74.2 billion over the past year. This represents an increase of over $10 billion in just three years, underscoring the growing consumer preference for convenient frozen options. As a result, the rising demand for packaged foods is expected to significantly boost the growth of the plastic waste management market during the forecast period.

Technological advancement is a key trend in the plastic waste management market, with leading players in the sector focusing on innovation to enhance their market positions. These companies are adopting advanced technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), satellite mapping, blockchain, nanotechnology, and genetic modification of chemicals to reduce plastic waste and improve its management while minimizing environmental harm. For example, in February 2024, BASF SE, a Germany-based chemicals company, introduced its ChemCycling initiative. This initiative aims to convert plastic waste that is challenging to recycle mechanically into valuable raw materials, including mixed plastics and those typically destined for landfills or incineration. Their Ccycled products are advanced recycled building blocks derived from plastic waste, ISCC+-certified, and can partially replace virgin materials in applications such as superabsorbent polymers, engineering plastics, and polyurethanes.

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is a significant trend gaining traction in the plastic waste management market. AI enhances the efficiency of recycling and waste sorting operations. For example, a smart recycling bin can monitor and sort waste at the point of disposal, utilizing AI, computer vision, robotics, and machine learning to sort waste accurately and efficiently. In October 2024, EREMA Group GmbH, an Austria-based plastics recycling company, introduced the Intarema 2325 T-VEplus RegrindPro. The INTAREMA TVEplus system technology is specifically designed to handle challenging materials, such as heavily printed films and contaminated plastics commonly found in post-consumer waste. It aims to improve the recycling of polyolefins, addressing the growing demand for effective plastic waste management solutions. The Intarema system is notable for its high throughput and energy efficiency, making it well-suited for processing difficult materials like contaminated films and post-consumer plastics. Overall, it plays a vital role in advancing recycling efforts within the industry.

In February 2022, Republic Services, Inc., a prominent US-based waste disposal company, acquired US Ecology for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition bolstered Republic Services, Inc.'s geographic footprint across the USA and Canada, enhancing its vertical integration capabilities in the environmental solutions sector. US Ecology, a leading provider of environmental solutions, specializes in the treatment, recycling, and disposal of hazardous, non-hazardous, and specialty waste.

Major companies operating in the plastic waste management market include Waste Management Inc, Veolia Environnement S.A, Suez SA, Republic Services Inc, Waste Connections Inc, Stericycle Inc, Biffa Plc, Hitachi Zosen Corporation, ALBA Group, Remondis A/S, Replas, LG Chem, BioPak, Plantic Technologies Limited, Total Corbion PLA, PLASgran Ltd Remondis SE & Co KG, Covanta Holdings, KW Plastics, Biochemtex, Novamont S.p.A, Avantium N.V, Sulapac, Amsilk GmBH, Clean Harbors, TerraCycle, WM Intellectual Property Holdings, United Plastic Recycling, GFL Environmental Inc, ENF Recycling, Braskem, Fluxana GmbH Co. KG, New Hope Ecotech, Boomera, Flottweg SE, PDL software ambiental, EcoMachine, Mundo Livres, Lamor Corporation Ab, Andritz AG, Amandus Kahl GmbH & Co. KG, Bee’ah, Trident Trackway, Master Skip Services, Globalex Group of companies, RecycleHub Company, Averda, Al Dhafra Recycling, Suhul al Beeah pvt ltd, Mr. Green Africa, Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, FabricAid, GreenRepublic, Kudoti, WeCyclers, Jumeni, Coliba Ghana Ltd, Premier Waste Services.

North America was the largest region in the plastic waste management market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the plastic waste management market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the plastic waste management market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

Plastic waste management involves the management and processing of plastic waste to make it reusable, with the goal of encouraging circular plastic production and ensuring a high uptake of recycled plastics. This approach helps reduce waste in the ecosystem, minimize atmospheric pollution, and eliminate harmful germs and chemicals.

The primary types of plastic waste management include polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC or Vinyl), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS or Styrofoam), and others. Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET, is a versatile thermoplastic polymer resin belonging to the polyester family. It possesses desirable properties such as transparency, lightweight nature, and resistance to chemicals. The services associated with plastic waste management include collection, recycling, incineration, and landfills, sourced from various places such as residential, commercial and institutional, and industrial sectors. Plastic waste management services are utilized by end-users in diverse industries, including packaging, textiles, consumer products, transportation, building and construction, electrical and electronics, and other sectors.

The plastic waste management market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides plastic waste management market statistics, including the plastic waste management industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a plastic waste management market share, detailed plastic waste management market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the plastic waste management industry. This plastic waste management market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The plastic waste management market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as pyrolysis, bioremediation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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