The Global Municipal Plastic Waste Recycling Market was valued at USD 34.56 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 67.85 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 11.9% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is fueled by stringent environmental regulations, increasing sustainability mandates, and technological advancements in plastic recycling processes.
With global plastic waste generation exceeding 400 million metric tons annually, specialized recycling companies are transforming post-consumer waste into valuable resources. This analysis examines the Top 10 Companies in the Municipal Plastic Waste Recycling Market—innovators developing mechanical, chemical, and sustainable recycling solutions.
1. KW Plastics
Headquarters: Troy, Alabama, USA
Key Offering: HDPE and PP recycling (World’s largest processor)
KW Plastics recycles over 1 billion pounds of post-consumer plastics annually through its closed-loop systems. The company specializes in processing colored and pigmented HDPE, which accounts for over 60% of difficult-to-recycle plastic streams.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- Zero-waste facilities achieving 99.8% material recovery rates
- FDA-compliant food-grade recycled HDPE production
- Strategic partnerships with major appliance manufacturers
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2. Veolia Environnement S.A.
Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Integrated waste management and recycling solutions
Veolia operates one of the largest plastic recycling networks globally, processing over 500,000 metric tons annually across 50+ facilities. The company combines municipal collection contracts with advanced PET and polyolefin recycling technologies.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- Developing enzymatic recycling through Carbios partnership
- Expanding food-grade rPET production capacity
- Circular economy contracts with multinational brands
3. Suez SA
Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Smart waste collection and high-tech sorting
Suez processes 4 million+ tons of plastic waste annually using AI-powered sorting systems that achieve 96% material purity. The company has developed proprietary technologies for processing complex plastic waste streams.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- 100% recycled PET for food contact applications
- Recycling rate of 83% for collected plastics
- Strategic alliances with global consumer brands
4. Biffa plc
Headquarters: High Wycombe, UK
Key Offering: UK’s leading PET recycling infrastructure
Biffa operates Europe’s largest food-grade PET recycling plant with 60,000 tons annual capacity. The company is investing £75 million to expand capabilities for hard-to-recycle plastics through 2025.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- First commercial-scale rPET production from thermoformed packaging
- Carbon-negative recycling operations achieved in 2023
- Proprietary washing technologies for contaminated streams
5. Jayplas
Headquarters: Loughborough, UK
Key Offering: Food-grade rPET solutions
As the UK’s largest plastics recycler, Jayplas specializes in bottle-to-bottle recycling, supplying major beverage companies. Their 8 facilities process 150,000+ tons annually with industry-leading efficiency.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- 1:1.2 input-to-output efficiency ratio
- Advanced decontamination systems
- Carbon-negative processing methods
6. Advanced Environmental Recycling Technologies (AERT)
Springdale, Arkansas, USA
Key Offering: Wood-plastic composite recycling
AERT pioneered recycling of mixed plastic films into durable building materials. Since 1989, the company has diverted over 1 billion pounds of plastic from landfills through patented processes.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- USDA-certified biobased plastic lumber
- 70% energy savings versus virgin production
- 150+ million linear feet of recycled decking produced
7. Clean Harbors, Inc.
Headquarters: Norwell, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Hazardous plastic waste processing
Clean Harbors operates North America’s most extensive network for industrial plastic waste, specializing in medical and hazardous streams. Their facilities handle 500,000+ tons annually through mechanical and chemical recycling.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- POLYPRO pyrolysis technology for mixed plastics
- Healthcare plastics reconciliation program
- Closed-loop systems for industrial clients
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8. MBA Polymers
Headquarters: London, UK
Key Offering: Engineering plastics recovery
MBA Polymers operates advanced facilities for recovering high-value plastics from electronics, vehicles, and industrial waste. Their patented processes achieve 99.9% purity in recovered ABS, PS, and PP.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- NIR sorting technology enhancements
- 80% CO2 reduction versus virgin plastics
- Closed-loop partnerships with automotive OEMs
9. Phoenix Technologies International
Headquarters: Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Ultra-pure food-grade rPET
As part of Plastipak Holdings, Phoenix Technologies operates North America’s largest food-grade rPET production campus. Their proprietary processes set industry standards for contamination removal in recycled plastics.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- FDA and EFSA approved food-contact rPET
- 50% water usage reduction since 2018
- First commercial rPET from thermoforms
10. Indorama Ventures
Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand
Key Offering: Integrated PET recycling solutions
As the world’s largest PET resin producer, Indorama operates 1.5 million tons of recycling capacity across 13 countries. The company’s vertical integration enables precise customization of recycled-virgin blends.
Sustainability Initiatives:
- $1.5 billion committed to capacity expansion
- First Asian bottle-to-bottle recycling systems
- VSF technology for virgin-like recycled flakes
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Outlook: The Future of Plastic Recycling
The municipal plastic recycling industry is undergoing a technological revolution, with chemical and advanced recycling complementing traditional mechanical methods.
Key Market Trends:
- EU Packaging Regulation mandates 55% plastic recycling by 2030
- US National Recycling Strategy targeting 50% recycling rate
- Breakthroughs in enzymatic depolymerization reaching scale
- AI-powered sorting achieving 99%+ purity levels
- Brand commitments to 30-50% recycled content
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The companies profiled above are building the infrastructure necessary to transition from linear plastic consumption to a true circular economy model.