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Materials Ecosystem
Collecting, Cleaning, Sorting and Recycling
Learn the collecting, cleaning, sorting and recycling processes Dow is developing to increase circular plastics availability to meet downstream demand.
Collecting, cleaning, sorting processes
Circularity hinges on collecting, sorting and cleaning plastics waste. Today, global demand for circular plastics far exceeds the available recycled supply. At Dow, we’re working to close this gap by supporting local partnerships and developing technologies tailored to the needs of the waste management ecosystem. From infrastructure investment to education and incentives, we are helping waste reach its full potential—ensuring more plastic stays in use and out of the environment.
Dow X Ambipar
Dow and Ambipar are expanding their strategic alliance to transform the plastic materials recycling industry in Brazil. By combining Dow’s materials science expertise with Ambipar’s leadership in environmental options, the partnership aims to increase polyethylene recycling from 2,000 tons to 60,000 tons per year by 2030. Together, they are creating an integrated center for circular economy, advancing mechanical recycling technologies, and transforming post-consumer waste into valuable, high-quality products.
Dow X WM
WM and Dow have launched the first major residential recycling program for plastic films in the U.S., allowing curbside collection of hard-to-recycle materials like bread bags and cling wrap. Starting with a pilot in Hickory Hills, IL, this initiative is expected to divert over 120,000 metric tons of plastic films from landfills annually. Combining WM’s recycling expertise and Dow’s material science innovation, the program aims to expand nationwide, advancing circular options for flexible plastics.
Dow X Hefty® ReNew® program
The Hefty® ReNew® program, Dow, and ByFusion partnership diverts hard-to-recycle plastics from Boise’s landfills, transforming collected waste into ByBlocks®—durable, construction-grade blocks. ByFusion’s Blocker technology repurposes plastic waste for community projects like benches and walls, supporting sustainable development. Since 2018, Boise residents have contributed over 1,000 tons of plastic waste to the ReNew® program, showcasing an innovative model for recycling challenging plastics into valuable resources for local infrastructure.
Mr. Green Africa
Dow has invested in Mr. Green Africa, a Certified B Corporation and recycling pioneer, to transform waste management systems and accelerate circular options for plastics in Africa. This partnership aims to recover 90 kilotons of plastic waste over four years and create sustainable, high-quality post-consumer recyclates for new packaging. The collaboration supports local communities, improves livelihoods for waste pickers, and promotes circular economy initiatives across the continent.
Explore other collaborations
Frequently Asked Questions
Collaborative efforts are crucial for promoting the adoption of innovative technologies in tackling global plastic waste challenges.
Harnessing technology, such as artificial intelligence, to process and analyze large volumes of data rapidly and with great accuracy can significantly improve the efficiency of waste sorting and collection.
Prioritizing investments in recycling technology innovations can better align economic viability with environmental sustainability.
Efficient collection and sorting are the frontlines of a circular plastics economy. Without them, recyclable materials are lost to landfills, incineration, or the environment, cutting off their potential to be reused or reprocessed.
Sorting ensures that plastics are grouped by resin type and quality, which is critical for achieving high-performance recycled content. Clean, well-sorted feedstock results in better-quality recycled plastics, which are more suitable for demanding applications like food packaging or consumer goods.
The demand for high-quality recycled plastics is growing faster than the supply. This imbalance is shaped by several key challenges:
- Limited access to waste: Many regions lack efficient collection systems, meaning recyclable plastics never make it into the recycling stream.
- Inconsistent quality: Contaminants, inconsistent feedstock, and downcycled material can limit the usability of recycled resins.
- Processing capacity gaps: Current recycling infrastructure often isn’t scaled or advanced enough to meet rising demand across industries.
- Regulatory complexity: Varying rules on waste management and recycled content can hinder progress and slow investment.
Meeting this demand calls for end-to-end collaboration, between material science, manufacturing, policymakers, and consumers, to build a robust, reliable supply of circular plastics.
Dow is investing across the value chain to build smarter, more scalable recycling systems, because infrastructure is the engine of circularity.
We support:
- Partnerships with recyclers and startups to advance mechanical and advanced recycling technologies.
- Pilot programs and coalitions that bring together waste collectors, municipalities, and brand owners to test and scale collection innovations.
- Material design guidance to help manufacturers create packaging that’s easier to collect and recycle.
- Investment in new facilities and technologies that enable the recovery and reuse of harder-to-recycle plastics.
Through global and local initiatives, Dow is helping to close infrastructure gaps and accelerate a more circular, resilient materials economy.
Local communities are the heartbeat of circularity. From collection points to education campaigns, they shape how plastics are recovered, sorted, and ultimately reused.
Here’s how communities make a difference:
- Behavior change: Consumer awareness and participation, especially in sorting at the source, directly impact recycling rates and quality.
- Decentralized collection: Community-led systems like drop-off sites and informal collection networks often reach areas traditional infrastructure cannot.
- Innovation hubs: Local partnerships can pilot new technologies or practices that scale nationally and globally.
- Circular job creation: Community-level recycling creates economic opportunities, especially in regions where formal waste management is limited.
Dow works alongside communities to co-develop tailored solutions, build trust, and empower people to become stewards of sustainable material use.
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