Plastic Waste and Recycling Profiling

A two-phase initiative to enable circularity for single-use plastics in biopharma by profiling waste streams, evaluating recycling technologies, engaging stakeholders, and creating a framework for standardized measurement and reporting.

Industry Need

Previous attempts to profile baseline recycling activities were unsuccessful due to the wide variety of measurement units, reporting practices, and differentiation of the mass recycled.

Approach

To address the growing challenge of plastic waste in biopharma manufacturing, this project proposes a two-phase, US-based initiative aimed at enabling circularity for single-use plastics. The solution will:

Establish a standardized waste stream profile across 3–5 biopharma manufacturing sites, focusing on key materials (PP, PE, PC, silicone, TPE). This includes quantifying annual waste volumes, categorizing waste types, and mapping current disposal methods (e.g., incineration, landfill, recycling).
Identify and evaluate viable recycling technologies and infrastructure that align with the waste profiles. This includes mechanical and advanced recycling options, cleaning and sorting logistics, transportation needs, and contamination handling.
Engage with government stakeholders to explore regulatory harmonization, incentives, and public-private partnerships that can accelerate scalable recycling solutions.
Develop a framework for consistent measurement and reporting of plastic recycling across the industry, enabling benchmarking and collective action.

Impacts

Waste stream clarity- detailed profile of plastic waste types and disposal methods

Technology Identification- evaluating viable recycling technologies tailored to biopharama waste profiles

Value Statement/Outcomes

By implementing process improvements identified in this project—such as standardized waste stream profiling and evaluation of advanced recycling technologies—an organization could reduce disposal costs associated with incineration, landfill, and downcycling by up to 40%, enabling a circular economy for high-value plastics and strengthening sustainability commitments across the biopharmaceutical industry.

Outputs/Deliverables

Intermediate Report with Survey Results (Completed)

Final Report with summary of the survey results, highlighting the options and providing recommendations (In Progress)

Posters

McClure, M., Presenter, Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing Conference, Leesburg, Virginia, October 20, 2024.

Presentations

Barbaroux, M., Presenter, Defining an ideal future for circularity of single-use plastics, NIIMBL National Meeting, Washington, DC, June 24, 2025.

Connell-Crowley, L., Presenter, Defining an Ideal Future for Plastics, Integrated Continuous Biomanufacturing Conference, Leesburg, Virginia, October 20, 2024.