Why Recycling Alone Cannot Create a Truly Circular Economy

Why Recycling Is Reaching Its Limits (Podcast)

Recycling is an important part of the circular economy, but it cannot solve resource scarcity on its own.

“Recycling is just an extension of linearity.”

A statement that challenges conventional thinking — and reframes the current debate around recycling, the circular economy, and sustainable materials in Europe. Our Managing Director Patrick Zimmermann is not speaking from cynicism, but from a perspective grounded in physics. In the latest episode of the podcast MedTech Sustainability by Design with Lucas R. Pianegonda, he challenges common myths surrounding recycling and the circular economy.

Recycling and the Circular Economy in Europe: Limits, PPWR and Bioplastics

In the podcast, Patrick Zimmermann explains why recycling alone cannot create a truly circular system, what makes bioplastics unique, and how they differ fundamentally in their properties. The reason: a perfect circular loop does not exist in practice. With every recycling cycle, material quality and performance decline — until, in many cases, only energy recovery remains. Recycling merely extends the lifecycle of a material, but it does not close the loop.

At the same time, the industry faces a paradox: recycling capacities in Europe are being reduced, even as material scarcity becomes an increasing concern. The reason is straightforward: virgin fossil-based materials are still cheaper than recycled materials. Without clear regulatory frameworks, price remains the decisive factor.

Patrick Zimmermann therefore calls for a shift in perspective. Biobased polymers should be considered on an equal footing with recycling from the very beginning within the PPWR regulation, rather than only being recognized several years later from 2028 onwards.

Episode Overview

00:00 – Introduction
01:00 – What does “Recycling is an extension of linearity” mean?
03:00 – Entropy & polymer degradation
08:00 – Bioplastics explained: drop-in, biodegradable, compostable
13:00 – Biodegradable vs. compostable
20:00 – Bio-based feedstocks
30:00 – Food vs. Fuel vs. Plastic
38:00 – Four drivers of sustainable materials
42:00 – Why the recycling industry is currently facing challenges
45:00 – The future of bio-based plastics within the PPWR
47:00 – Patrick’s recommendations for action

Listen to the Podcast Now: Recycling, PPWR & Sustainable Materials