According to Torkelis, although the technologies of plastic packaging waste recycling are sufficiently developed and continuously improved, recycling composite packaging still presents challenges. Although reducing plastic waste remains a primary goal, recycling is essential to manage the plastic already in circulation. Recent statistics reveal that in 2021, each person in the European Union (EU) generated an average of 36 kg of plastic packaging waste. Political and legal factors include a range of legislation and policies to regulate the management of plastic packaging waste. To better understand how external factors influence plastic packaging recycling, KTU researchers conducted a macro-environmental analysis that examined six key areas: political, economical, social, technological, ecological, and legal factors.
