Post-consumer Recycled Plastics Market Size

Global Post-Consumer Recycled Plastics Market size was valued at USD 71.56 billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 77.64 billion in 2024 to USD 149.12 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period (2025-2032). 

Surging plastic waste and plastic pollution around the world, growing emphasis on sustainability, advancements in recycling technologies, imposition of stringent regulations on plastic waste management, and corporate commitment towards sustainability are helping boost adoption of post-consumer recycled plastics through 2032.

Accumulation of plastic waste on a global level has led to major environmental concerns thereby prompting immediate action to reduce plastic waste. The European Union’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, China’s National Sword Policy, and the U.S. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are new programs launched by governments to control plastic waste or ban the use of plastics altogether to create a more sustainable planet.

Increasing number of multinational organizations are committing to increase the use of post-consumer recycled plastics in their packaging solutions to attain their sustainability goals and reduce their carbon footprint. Availability of supportive government initiatives and rising consumer preference for sustainable materials in products are also expected to bolster the global post-consumer recycled plastics market growth over the coming years.

Launch of new circular economy initiatives and high demand for sustainable packaging made from recyclable materials are also expected to boost the sales of post-consumer recycled plastics in the future. Technological advancements in plastic recycling processes and rising eco-consciousness among consumers all over the world are also slated to create new opportunities for market players. However, high costs of recycling, limited availability of high-quality post-consumer recycled plastics, absence of adequate recycling infrastructure, competition from biodegradable and bio-based plastics, and regulatory inconsistencies causing compliance issues are slated to impede the adoption of post-consumer recycled plastics across the forecast period and beyond.

Key Market Attributes

In January 2025, Mondelēz International, an American multinational food and beverage company announced its plans to rollout 80% certified recycled plastic packaging for Cadbury sharing bars sold in the British Isles. The company also has plans of phasing in this new packaging for products made in Bournville, England, and Coolock, Ireland in 2025. An estimate of 600 tonnes/661 tons of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is expected to utilized for the packaging of 300 million sharing bars annually by Mondelēz. The company collaborated with Jindal Films and Amcor, a leading packaging innovator to develop this new packaging. Mondelēz is taking a mass balance approach to account for the proportion of recycled plastic in its new packaging thereby positioning it well in regulatory environment to comply with mandates such as European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

In September 2024, Dow, a leading multinational chemical organization from the United States announced the launch of a new product line-up of REVOLOOP Recycled Plastics Resins. These products incorporate post-consumer recycled (PCR) material into cable jacketing to meet the surging demand for sustainable solutions. The new range of plastic resins offers similar performance characteristics as virgin plastic thereby improving their application scope. The launch also symbolizes Dow’s effort to promote circularity in its business and contribution towards building a better planet by solving the plastic waste problem.

In April 2024, SABIC, a renowned chemical manufacturing company from Saudi Arabia announced the successful rollout of its TRUCIRCLE program to promote circular plastic economy implementation in the country. SABIC’s certified circular polyethylene (PE) recycled post-consumer plastic is being used by FONTE for packaging of Oat Arabic Bread. SABIC utilizes 100% mass balanced certified content of recycled feedstock from mixed post-consumer used plastics to convert it into pyrolysis oil, which is then used in production of new polymers. Napco Nationa, a Saudi manufacturer of flexible film and packaging products was responsible for production of these new bags that are being used by FONTE.