EU-24085 PROSPER - Promoting innovation for sustainable sorting and recycling of dedicated bio-based plastics

To address these concerns, the PROSPER project aims to cover the entire value chain of biobased plastics sorting and recycling. It will demonstrate a system to achieve a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 by establishing pilot programs in partner countries to sort, and chemically and mechanically recycle bioplastics. Additionally, the project will assess the costs and contributions necessary under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes from the bioplastics industry to ensure proper financing for recycling facilities.

The principle aims of the project are to attempt at scale, the separate sorting and subsequent recycling of plastics made from bio-based feedstocks that also have the characteristic of biodegradability (bioplastics).  Achieving a “circular economy” of biobased and biodegradable based and biodegradable plastics is a cornerstone to wider market uptake of these materials, especially in packaging where 40% of plastics are currently used.