The Dilemma Between Health Risks and Sustainability: Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging | by TSCConsulting

1. Introduction

On September 8, 2025, the draft regulation published on the website of the Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry proposed permitting the use of recycled plastics in food-contact materials. While this represents a critical step toward a circular economy, shortcomings in recycling processes pose significant public health risks. In particular, the accidental inclusion of plastics classified as hazardous waste (e.g., chemical containers, solvent bottles) into the food packaging cycle directly threatens human health, food quality, and social sustainability.

2. Health Risks

Recycled plastics pose significant health risks due to chemical migration, contaminant accumulation, and microplastic contamination. For example, according to Science Daily, resin-based plastics can release toxic chemicals such as brominated flame retardants into water during recycling processes, causing hormonal changes in fish. This raises questions about the safety of recycled plastics.

Additionally, low-molecular-weight chemicals, additives, and heavy metals present in recycled plastics can migrate into food, potentially leading to long-term carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting, and neurotoxic effects.

A 2023 study also found that, because plastics originate from diverse sources during recycling, the accumulation of contaminants such as heavy metals (e.g., antimony), PFAS, and PAHs was three times higher. While the impact of microplastics from virgin plastics on human health is already a major concern, the potential risks of recycled plastics include the migration of additives such as BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants into food, which can adversely affect the immune system, nervous system, and hormonal balance.

3. International Practices and Challenges

International experience shows that recycled plastics are safely used in food packaging, complete source separation, the implementation of closed-loop systems, and regular laboratory testing are essential. The table below provides a summary of “International Practices and Challenges”.

4. Environmental vs Social Responsibility

The Lancet Plastic Commission reports that plastic production has increased 200-fold since 1950 and is projected to exceed 1 billion tons annually by 2060.

While recycling plays an important role in reducing environmental impact, it is not a standalone solution. Plastic production—especially types containing complex additive chemicals—differs significantly from easily recyclable materials like paper, glass, or metal. Because recycling processes cannot remove all contaminants, plastic production must be sharply reduced.

Moreover, plastic production contributes to increased carbon emissions, slowing global decarbonization efforts. Currently, the plastic industry generates approximately 2 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent per year, comparable to Russia’s annual emissions. In addition, production and processing stages contribute to air and water pollution. Improper practices therefore threaten not only human health but also social sustainability.

In Turkey, the draft regulation must be carefully evaluated taking these risks into account, given their potential impact on public health and sustainability.

5. Conclusion

Studies indicate that chemical recycling methods—such as incineration or gasification—can generate toxic waste and pollution, rather than safely recycling plastics. These processes may create new hazardous materials instead of mitigating existing plastic waste.

Analyses of recycled plastic pellets collected from 13 countries have detected hundreds of toxic chemicals, pesticide residues, and pharmaceutical contaminants. This demonstrates that most recycled plastics are unsuitable for their intended use and may undermine the goals of a circular economy.

Many countries attempt to implement recycled plastics under varying restrictions; however, a common finding is that insufficient separation and contamination control pose significant health risks.

Similar risks exist in Turkey; therefore, implementing recycled plastics on a large scale before a fully functional system is in place could pose a threat to public health. The use of recycled plastics in food packaging can only be considered safe under strict oversight and high-quality standards. However, since separation, contaminant control, and recycling processes in Turkey are not yet fully mature, large-scale adoption carries risks for both public health and social sustainability.

In my view, reducing plastic use, prioritizing safe alternatives, and developing effective recycling methods are critical for both human health and ecological sustainability.

How do you see these challenges? 

Don’t compromise on safety or sustainability. Connect with TSCConsulting for expert guidance.

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