What is traceability in recycling and why is it important for manufacturers?

One of the key concepts that has gained great relevance in the circular economy is traceability in recycling.

But what does this term really mean, and why has it become essential for companies working with recycled materials like plastic?

What is traceability in recycling?

Traceability in recycling refers to the ability to track recycled materials throughout the entire value chain.

From its origin as waste, through the collection, classification, and transformation process, to its reincorporation as a raw material in new products.

In other words, it is the process that allows us to verify the origin, type, quantity, and treatment of recycled materials.

This ensures that they come from sustainable sources and have been processed in accordance with environmental and quality regulations.

Why is it important for manufacturers?

Traceability is not only a technical tool, but also a strategic element for manufacturers for several reasons:

1. Regulatory compliance

More and more countries and regions are requiring companies to demonstrate the use of certified recycled materials in their products.

Traceability allows manufacturers to comply with local and international regulations.

Such as European regulations on the circular economy or the sustainability requirements of large supply chains.

2. Transparency and trust

Consumers are more aware than ever of the environmental impact of the products they buy.

Having a traceability system allows manufacturers to transparently communicate their commitment to recycling.

Adding value to your brand and building trust in the market.

3. Quality control

Knowing exactly where recycled material comes from and how it has been treated helps maintain consistent quality standards in final products.

This is especially important in industries such as automotive, construction, and food packaging, where safety and durability are key.

4. Process optimization

Traceability also allows companies to analyze their supply chain, identify bottlenecks, and make informed decisions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

5. Competitive advantage

In a business environment where sustainability is a differentiating value, implementing traceability in recycling positions companies as responsible and innovative leaders.

Which can translate into new business opportunities and strategic partnerships.

How is traceability implemented in plastics recycling?

Effective traceability requires the use of standardized technology and processes. This includes:

  • Labeling and coding of materials during the collection and separation process.

  • Digital tracking systems, such as ERP software, blockchain, or specific platforms for environmental traceability.

  • Third-party certification that guarantees the transparency of the process.

  • Collaboration with trusted suppliers, such as BPL Plastic, that ensure the quality and sustainability of recycled materials.

At Baidal, we understand that traceability is essential to building a more sustainable future.

That’s why we offer our customers recycled plastics through controlled, auditable, and certified processes that guarantee both quality and regulatory compliance.

Traceability in recycling is not a passing fad; it’s a pillar of the circular economy and a key tool for manufacturers to respond to demands for sustainability, quality, and transparency.

Adopting it is not only an ethical and legal obligation, but also an opportunity to innovate, differentiate ourselves, and lead the change toward a more responsible industry.

25 June, 2025 Uncategorized Comments Off on What is traceability in recycling and why is it important for manufacturers?

Recycled Plastic vs. Recyclable Plastic: What’s the Difference?

Plastic remains one of the most widely used and debated materials.

Terms like “recycled plastic” and “recyclable plastic” often cause confusion.

Although they sound similar, they do not mean the same thing and have very different implications for the environment.

If you want to better understand these concepts and how they affect our consumer decisions, continue reading our blog.

What is Recyclable Plastic?

Recyclable plastic is plastic that has the potential to be recycled.

That is, it can be processed to become a new product or material.

However, just because a plastic is recyclable does not guarantee that it will actually be recycled.

Some factors that influence its recyclability include:

✅ Plastic type:

Not all plastics are equally recyclable.

The most commonly recycled are PET (water bottles) and HDPE (detergent containers).

✅ Recycling infrastructure:

If there are no adequate recycling centers or if plastic is not collected effectively, it will end up in landfills or in the environment.

✅ Cleaning conditions:

Plastics that are dirty or contaminated with food residue, oil, or other materials may be rejected by recycling plants.

🔹 Examples of recyclable plastics:

Soft drink bottles (PET), milk containers (HDPE), yogurt containers (PP), some packaging plastics.

What is Recycled Plastic?

Recycled plastic is plastic that has already gone through a recycling process and has been reused to make new products.

That is, it is not only recyclable, but it has already been recycled and turned into something new.

Using recycled plastic has important benefits, such as:

♻️ Reduction in the use of virgin plastic

Demand for oil and other natural resources used to make new plastic is decreasing.

♻️ Less waste in landfills and oceans

Help reduce the amount of plastic that ends up polluting the planet.

♻️ Smaller carbon footprint

The manufacturing process with recycled plastic typically requires less energy than producing new plastic.

🔹 Examples of recycled plastic:

Clothing made from recycled PET bottles, street furniture made from recycled plastic, and packaging that indicates it has been manufactured with “X% recycled material.”

Which is Better for the Environment?

The answer depends on several factors, but generally speaking, recycled plastic has a more positive environmental impact than recyclable plastic.

  • Recyclable plastic that isn’t recycled ends up in landfills or the ocean, where it can take hundreds of years to degrade.

  • Recycled plastic has already been reused, reducing the need to produce more virgin plastic.

However, recycling is not the only solution.

It’s also essential to reduce the use of single-use plastics and promote more sustainable alternatives, such as biodegradable or reusable packaging.

Although the terms “recycled plastic” and “recyclable plastic” may seem similar, they have key differences.

A recyclable plastic has the potential to be recycled, but this depends on factors such as recycling infrastructure and cleaning.

On the other hand, recycled plastic has already been processed and reused, which reduces its environmental impact.

To contribute to a more sustainable world, it’s not enough to simply choose recyclable plastics.

We must ensure that they are actually recycled and encourage the use of recycled materials.

Furthermore, the best option will always be to reduce the consumption of unnecessary plastics and opt for more environmentally friendly alternatives.

15 April, 2025 Uncategorized Comments Off on Recycled Plastic vs. Recyclable Plastic: What’s the Difference?

Benefits of recycling post-industrial plastic

Recycling plastic is one of the most effective strategies to reduce pollution and promote sustainability in the industry.

Post-industrial plastic has become a key resource for many companies seeking to minimize their environmental impact and optimize their production processes.

In today’s blog we talk about the main benefits of recycling post-industrial plastic and its importance for the future of the planet.

What is post-industrial plastic?

Post-industrial plastic (PIR) comes from waste generated in factories and manufacturing processes before products reach the final consumer.

post-industrial plastic

Unlike post-consumer plastic, which is recycled after it has been used, post-industrial plastic is easier to recover because it has not been contaminated with other materials.

Examples of post-industrial plastic include:

  • Manufacturing offcuts and scrap.
  • Defective or surplus materials.
  • Mold and extrusion residues in production.

Reducing waste in landfills

One of the main benefits of recycling post-industrial plastic is the reduction of waste ending up in landfills.

The industry generates tons of plastic every day.

And if these materials are not recycled, they can take hundreds of years to decompose.

By recycling this waste, landfills are not saturated and environmental pollution is reduced.

In addition, greenhouse gas emissions associated with the decomposition of plastic in unsuitable environments are reduced.

Saving natural resources

Plastic is primarily made from petroleum and natural gas.

These resources are non-renewable and their extraction and processing have a high environmental impact.

Post-industrial plastic recycling allows existing materials to be reused, reducing the demand for new raw materials.

This not only contributes to the conservation of natural resources, but also reduces energy consumption in the production of new plastics.

Lower energy consumption in production

Recycling post-industrial plastic requires less energy compared to manufacturing virgin plastic.

According to various studies, the use of recycled plastic in production can reduce energy consumption by up to 70% in some cases.

Lower energy consumption means:
– Lower costs for companies.
– Less dependence on fossil fuels.
– Less carbon emissions in the production process.

Promoting the circular economy

Recycling post-industrial plastic is a key practice within the circular economy.

A model that seeks to reduce waste and extend the useful life of materials.

Instead of throwing away plastics after their initial use, companies can reintroduce them into the production cycle, creating a more efficient and sustainable system.

This generates multiple economic and environmental benefits, such as:

  • Reduction of production costs.
  • Creation of new business models based on reuse.
  • Greater independence from virgin raw materials.

Compliance with environmental regulations

More and more governments and international organizations are imposing strict regulations on the management of plastic waste.

Companies that implement post-industrial plastic recycling can comply with environmental regulations.

And in this way, avoid sanctions or taxes related to pollution.

Additionally, many companies that recycle plastic can obtain sustainability certifications.

Which improves their reputation and makes them more attractive to customers and business partners.

Innovation in new recycled materials

Post-industrial plastic recycling drives innovation in the industry, enabling the development of high-quality recycled materials.

Nowadays, there are recycled plastics that retain the same mechanical and chemical properties as virgin plastics, allowing their use in sectors such as:

  • Automotive
  • Sustainable packaging.
  • Construction
  • Textile industry (recycled synthetic fabrics).

Thanks to these advances, recycled plastic has become a viable and efficient alternative in many industrial sectors.

Improvement of corporate image

Companies that implement recycling and sustainability policies gain consumer preference.

In a world where environmental awareness is on the rise, brands that opt ​​for recycled materials can strengthen their reputation and differentiate themselves from the competition.

Consumers increasingly value companies that are committed to the environment, which translates into greater loyalty and trust in the brand.

Recycling post-industrial plastic is not only a sustainable practice, but also provides economic, energy and strategic benefits for companies.

From reducing waste to saving resources and complying with regulations, this process is key to moving towards a more circular and efficient economy.

The industry has the opportunity to transform recycling into a competitive advantage by adopting innovative technologies and promoting responsible practices.

The future of plastic depends on how we manage it today, and post-industrial recycling is a big step in the right direction.

25 February, 2025 Uncategorized Comments Off on Benefits of recycling post-industrial plastic

Recycling plastics in the food sector: challenges and solutions

Plastic recycling in the food sector has become an important issue in the sustainability debate. As environmental awareness grows and regulations tighten, the food industry is looking to reduce its ecological footprint. Here, plastic management plays a key role. This sector faces a number of specific challenges that must be overcome in order to meet societal and regulatory expectations. In today’s blog, we discuss the main challenges facing plastic recycling in the food industry, as well as some of the solutions that are already in place to improve the situation.

The challenges of plastic recycling in the food sector

Pollution and food safety

One of the main obstacles to recycling plastics in the food sector is the strict regulations related to food safety.

Plastic packaging that has been in contact with food must meet high standards of purity to avoid contamination. This means that even if plastic can be recycled, it is not always possible to reuse it to make new food packaging. Especially if the recycled material does not guarantee the necessary safety or quality. Recycled plastics that contain food residues or that have absorbed chemicals during their life cycle can become a source of contamination. The recycling process must therefore be extremely rigorous. This increases the costs and complexity of the process.

Complexity of plastic materials

The food industry uses a wide variety of plastic types, from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for bottles and rigid containers, to low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for bags and packaging.

Each type of plastic requires a specific recycling process, which complicates waste management and sorting. In addition, many food products come in composite packaging, which combines several types of plastics or even other materials such as paper or aluminium. These multi-layer materials are particularly difficult to recycle, as separating them efficiently is expensive and technologically complex.

Low effective recycling rate

Although plastic recycling in general has increased in recent years, the effective recycling rate for plastics in the food sector remains low. This is because many consumers do not separate properly.

Limited infrastructure

Although technologies exist to recycle plastics, the infrastructure available to carry out this process on a global scale remains limited.

Many recycling plants are not equipped to process food-grade plastics, which reduces recycling rates in the sector.

Solutions for recycling plastics in the food sector

New technological and strategic solutions are emerging to address this problem more effectively:

Chemical recycling

Chemical recycling is one of the most promising solutions. Unlike mechanical recycling, which can only reprocess relatively high-quality plastics, chemical recycling breaks down plastics into their basic chemical components, allowing them to be reconverted into virgin materials.

Biodegradable and compostable plastics

Biodegradable and compostable plastics are gaining ground in the food sector.

Although they are not a direct solution to recycling, they can alleviate the burden of plastic waste, if properly managed in industrial composting infrastructures.

Ecodesign for recyclability

Companies are adopting eco-design to create plastic packaging that is easier to recycle. This includes reducing composite materials that are difficult to separate and eliminating inks and adhesives that contaminate the recycling stream. Eliminating plastic in the food sector is practically impossible today. That is why we must look for alternatives that facilitate its recycling or reuse.

22 October, 2024 Uncategorized Comments Off on Recycling plastics in the food sector: challenges and solutions
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