Sustainable Plastics - October 2021 - 38

recycling
A holistic solution
to closing the
recycling loop
In order to deal with the current, global plastic waste
crisis, there is an urgent need to transform the broken
systems in place for plastics recycling. This is where
System Thinking comes into play. By Philippe von
Stauffenberg, Greenback Founder and CEO
W
hat is System
Thinking? The
terminology refers
to the implementation
of a more holistic
approach, that moves away
from individual point technology
that might solve the plastic
recycling problem in isolation
to one that focuses on methods
of working in synergy with
diff erent technologies. The goal
remains the same: to transform
the entire plastic recycling system.
Holistic solutions are a
proven method of integrating
technologies within local waste
systems already in place.
A world first
Greenback Recycling Technologies
is UK-headquartered
advanced recycling company
focussed on implementing a
scalable and distributed advanced
collection and recycling
solution, that off ers brand owners
and the plastics value chain
fully traceable recyclate. The
aim is to build a decentralised
network of collection and recycling
plants near the sources
of post-consumer plastic waste
around the world.
Greenback's first major project
adopting this philosophy is
in Mexico, where it is seeking
to tackle the unresolved problem
of plastic waste by converting
hard-to-recycle mixed
plastics into pyrolysis oil, which
can then be used as feedstock
to produce certified, recycled
plastic food-grade packaging.
The core of the project lies in
diverting mixed plastics waste
38
October 2021
from landfill sites, while incentivising
waste collection and
sorting at source. The project
in Mexico will be operated in
co-operation with a leading
global CPG brand and in collaboration
with the petrochemical
industry. It will provide the
framework for further projects
around the world.
The recycling technology
used by Greenback is Enval's
microwave induced pyrolysis.
Enval has developed recycling
technology designed to create
sustainable and economically
viable alternatives to landfilling
of waste. The process takes
mixed post-consumer plastic
waste and turns it into pyrolysis
oil, a circular feedstock for
the production of food-grade
plastic that directly substitutes
fossil naphtha. Where there is
aluminium present in the waste
stream, e.g., plastic-aluminium
laminate packaging, it is able to
harvest the aluminium, further
adding value to the process.
Small-scale and local
These units are sited at local
landfills, where waste pickers
sift through and collect
post-consumer plastic waste
and plastic items, separating
plastic waste materials into the
diff erent waste streams. This
also enables the waste pickers
to be reimbursed at source.
Placing recycling plants close
to waste sources assists local
economies to extract maximum
value from their waste. A
combination of local collection,
sorting and recycling, helps to
reduce plastic pollution,
water usage, resource
depletion and
CO2 emissions into the
bargain.
Enval
pyrolysis
plants are scalable and
quick to commission.
Due to their small scale,
they typically require a
lower level of permitting
than a traditional
recycling plant which
further accelerates the
rollout. A single module
can process 2.5kt per
annum of hard-to-recycle
plastic waste
and can neatly scale in
2.5 KTA increments, to
fit the size of the local
waste stream available.
Transparency is key
Providing transparency and
traceability throughout another
vital aspect of the project.
The company has therefore
established the Greenback
Circularity Platform to certify
proof of material provenance
and value using a combination
of artificial intelligence and IoT
gathered evidence - backed up
on blockchain technology. This
evidence includes camera images,
weigh scale data, and advanced
analysis of waste types,
including AI recognition.
Closing the loop
Greenback is seeking to create
a fairer and more equitable
plastic waste stream, as well as
to build the circular economy for
plastic packaging, by helping to
Greenback
aims to create
an ethical,
predictable,
and liquid
market for
certifi ed postconsumer
recycled
plastic. "
Philippe
von
Stauff enberg
Greenback
create an ethical, predictable,
and liquid market for certified
post-consumer recycled plastic
suitable for food contact applications.
To that end, the company
is working with several
prominent consumer packaged
goods companies on the development
of technology solutions
that operate in landfills, or with
landfill waste. In parallel, the development
of, at scale, pre-sorting
processes for flexible mixed
plastic waste is planned in order
to create new commercially
valuable waste streams.
The operational model can be
established in developing or developed
regions, and measured
according to UN Sustainable
Development Goals, and in line
with Environmental, Social &
Governance (ESG) impacts.
Sustainable Plastics - October 2021

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