Plastics industry failing to capture $120bn re-use opportunity

James Murray
clock • 3 min read

Major new report warns that at current rates of disposal by 2050 there will be more plastic waste in the world's ocean than there are fish

By 2050 there will be more plastic waste in the ocean by weight than there are fish, based on current trends for waste disposal and over-fishing. That is the eye-catching conclusion of a major new report...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Recycling

Study: Investment in plastic recycling infrastructure promises to deliver £28bn economic boost

Study: Investment in plastic recycling infrastructure promises to deliver £28bn economic boost

EXCLUSIVE: Expanded plastics recycling capacity could unlock economic gains and create 7,700 skilled jobs, but instead UK risks worsening capacity crunch

Stuart Stone
clock 09 June 2026 • 4 min read
A new reuse symbol aims to be as recognisable as the recycling logo - and make more of a difference

A new reuse symbol aims to be as recognisable as the recycling logo - and make more of a difference

Could a new label help emerging re-use services cut through with the public?

Cressida Bowyer, University of Portsmouth and Kate Whitman, University of Portsmouth - The Conversation
clock 04 June 2026 • 5 min read
Report: UK's ageing wind turbines and EVs contain critical magnet 'goldmine'

Report: UK's ageing wind turbines and EVs contain critical magnet 'goldmine'

UK urged to develop domestic recycling system for neodymium, as evidence shows circular approach could cut costs, imports, and environmental damage

Michael Holder
clock 01 June 2026 • 3 min read