Developing new recycling technologies

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends developing and improving existing technology, especially indigenous technology, and facilitating its transfer under ongoing regional and interregional technical assistance programmes.

Feedstock recycling is a relatively new method for plastic recovery. The process breaks down plastics into their constituent components, yielding crude oil derivatives in all three physical states and which are then fed back into the production process as feedstock or raw materials to refineries, and to chemical and petro-chemical plants.