The PlasticsCircularity project, led by Eetta Saarimäki, Senior Scientist at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, is an initiative focused on enhancing plastics recovery and recycling, particularly in the context of evolving regulations and economic frameworks. This two-year project, set to conclude by mid-2026, brings together expertise from research institutions, universities and industry stakeholders to tackle some of the most pressing challenges in plastics circularity.
Photo credit ©: Borealis
A unique approach: integrating economics and policy
What sets the PlasticsCircularity project apart is its multidisciplinary approach. While many plastics recycling initiatives focus solely on technological or environmental aspects, this project also aims to integrate economic considerations. The Finnish Environment Institute Syke is responsible for examining policies and regulations, which sometimes present conflicting demands. The Sustainable Science department at LUT University is taking care of the environmental aspect of the project. Meanwhile, the economics department at University of Eastern Finland (UEF) is investigating how circularity in plastics could be implemented in a way that supports, rather than burdens, businesses.
Students from LUT University in Lappeenranta have made significant contributions through three master’s theses, which are tackling recycling challenges related to biodegradable plastics, food packaging and hospital plastics, respectively. The project also collaborates with other SPIRIT initiatives, such as the STAR and KEMU projects, which enhance the understanding of material flows and logistics. Read more about the hospital plastics topic here.
Project achievements so far
Among the project’s notable achievements so far are the completion of three high-quality master’s theses, detailed company interviews (summaries in progress), and exceptional work by Syke on the regulatory front. Two of these theses are introduced in this article. These efforts have already provided up-to-date knowledge and actionable insights for stakeholders navigating the evolving landscape of plastics recycling.
Insights from Oskari Sievinen’s thesis: food packaging recycling
Oskari Sievinen’s graduate thesis focuses on facilitating the recycling of plastics used in food packaging from both regulatory and environmental perspectives. A central challenge is meeting the forthcoming EU requirements for food packaging to contain at least 10% recycled plastics by 2030. Sievinen investigated various scenarios, including the expansion of the deposit return system and the expansion of chemical recycling for materials that cannot be mechanically recycled.
Key findings reveal that enough food-grade plastic could be mechanically produced in the current recycling system for the common polymers by 2030, but by 2040, the recycled content targets will be so high that Finland could benefit from an extended deposit return system to collect enough rigid food-grade plastics packaging. Current collection rates are insufficient, and the prevalence of multimaterial packaging in food packaging complicates recycling efforts.
The thesis analysed different types of packaging, noting that PET is more readily recycled as food-grade than other plastics used in packaging. Deposit systems, although effective, can be costly if it is expanded, and further economic analysis is needed to determine their feasibility. Life cycle assessment (LCA) results indicated that increased recycling reduces the carbon footprint, however it increases the environmental impact in some categories, such as in particulate emissions, through increased energy consumption, especially for chemical recycling. Mechanically recycled non-PET food-grade plastic is gradually being developed, therefore given the option, producers won’t have to default to chemically recycled plastics to meet the targets.
Sievinen’s work is closely linked to the PlasticsCircularity project’s goal of broadening recycling beyond plastic packaging to include bioplastics and hospital plastics. As there is limited data on plastic food packaging waste composition in Finland, the thesis relied on Swedish data and theoretical modelling, highlighting a gap in national statistics.
Mohsen Azadeh’s thesis: the challenge of bioplastics waste management
Mohsen Azadeh’s research reviewed the challenges posed by bioplastic waste management and the impact of biodegradable plastics on municipal waste streams. With a focus on end-of-life options for biobased and biodegradable plastics, the thesis identified the incoherence between the minimum standards and real world needs and the need for improved recycling systems.
The review found that while EU regulations strongly support a shift to a biobased economy, there is still confusion over how biodegradable plastics should be handled in waste streams. New regulations require compostable plastics to enter biowaste streams to prevent contamination of traditional plastics recycling. So, biodegradable plastics can’t be used as an alternative to conventional plastics under the new regulation. However, the regulatory framework is rapidly evolving, and new recycling technologies may soon be recognised more quickly by policymakers.
Azadeh also highlighted technological advances, such as the use of tracers to improve sorting, and the potential for chemical recycling methods like hydrolysis and gasification. The thesis underscores the importance of efficient sorting, reducing contamination and techno-economical feasibility, as well as the need for producers to understand their responsibilities within the circular economy.
Key messages from the team
Eetta Saarimäki emphasises that the regulatory and economic landscape surrounding plastics recycling is changing rapidly, and companies need reliable, up-to-date knowledge to guide their investments and strategies. The PlasticsCircularity project strives to provide this essential information.
Mohsen Azadeh’s perspective is that Europe should prioritise a circular economy approach, rather than simply switching to biobased plastics. New applications, such as fishing nets, agricultural mulch films and PLA bottles, are emerging, but the focus should remain on closing the loop and ensuring sustainable use of all plastics.
Oskari Sievinen points out that many problems in food packaging recycling stem from design choices. Food packaging should be as mono-material as possible without compromising shelf-life and food safety. The availability of food-grade recycled PET should be prioritised for food packaging producers as currently PET is the only circular option accepted by legislation for food packaging. He suggests that issues such as black and coloured plastic food packaging could be addressed by switching to transparent and naturally coloured alternatives to improve recyclability.
The PlasticsCircularity project has done research in Finland’s quest to create a more sustainable, economically viable and regulation-compliant plastics recycling system. By combining technical, regulatory and economic expertise, and collaborating across sectors, the project is laying the groundwork for a future where plastics are kept in the loop, supporting both environmental goals and business opportunities. As the project continues towards its conclusion in 2026, its findings will be invaluable for policymakers, companies and researchers committed to advancing plastics circularity.