Organizational, economic and technological problems of polymer waste processing

The article examines the reasons why polymer waste recycling remains underdeveloped, despite the recognized environmental and resource significance of this area. Based on an analysis of scientific publications and industry reports, the main obstacles are identified: heterogeneity and contamination of collected raw materials, deterioration of operational properties during repeated recycling, and limited investment in advanced sorting lines and chemical recycling methods. Special attention is paid to organizational and regulatory factors: a weak separate collection system, insufficient consumer involvement, unstable demand for products, and fragmented regulation. A comparison with European Union practices shows that a combination of financial incentives and strict obligations on manufacturers, including deposit schemes and content requirements, plays a decisive role. The author proposes measures aimed at expanding the collection infrastructure, modernizing processing facilities, strengthening economic levers, and developing educational programs, which in the long term should put the industry on a sustainable growth trajectory and bring Russia closer to a circular economy.