In this episode of the bioCircular Loop podcast, Melina Gerdts discusses the pressing issue of plastic waste and recycling with Christian Sigmund, CEO of WildPlastic. They explore the current state of plastic recycling, the system innovation approach WildPlastic is taking to collect and repurpose plastic waste found in the environment around the world, and the importance of changing consumer perception. The conversation also delves into the social impact of their work, the challenges of scaling their operations, and the future of sustainable plastic solutions.

• Only 9% of plastic is recycled globally, highlighting the urgent need for better recycling systems.
• Wild Plastic aims to recover plastic waste from the environment and give it a second life.
• The company collaborates with informal waste collection organizations in highly polluted regions.
• Quality control is crucial in ensuring the recycled plastic meets industry standards.
• There is a growing demand for recycled plastics as companies seek sustainable solutions.
• Wild Plastic's approach includes a social mission to improve working conditions for local collectors.
• The narrative around plastic waste needs to shift from villain to valuable resource.
• Life cycle assessments show significant CO2 savings when using recycled materials.
• The company is focused on creating a fair trade model for recycled plastics.
• Innovations in product development are key to expanding the use of wild plastic in various applications.

• https://wildplastic.com
• https://wildplastic.com/en/blogs/stories/plastic-vs-paper-wildplastic®-im-test-in-der-otto-verpackungsstudie 
• https://plasticseurope.org/sustainability/circularity/recycling/