In the four-year Syschemiq research project, 21 partners from five EU countries investigated how to optimize a cross-border plastics circular economy along the entire value chain. The aim was to overcome technical and non-technical barriers to fully unlock recycling potential.

With over 85 percent of mixed plastic waste currently being lost in the EU, efficient system solutions are essential. For the tri-border region of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, transferable concepts for waste sorting, chemical recycling approaches, and scalable circular strategies have been developed.

Fraunhofer UMSICHT focused on product design, collection systems, and citizen engagement. A novel life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology has been created to systematically integrate consumer behavior and recycling habits into environmental impact evaluations. Key design recommendations include prioritizing larger portion sizes, using standardized polypropylene (PP) combinations for containers and lids, and providing clear separation instructions alongside unified recycling symbols to improve sorting accuracy.

To optimize waste collection and sorting in Germany, citizens were directly involved through a “City Lab,” while educational formats for schools were developed. The project’s findings—including major bottlenecks in recycling chains and consumer responses to packaging—are now presented by Dr. Anna Kerps in an accompanying podcast^[1].

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