Not All Recycling is Created Equal: Closed vs. Open Loop

Nowadays, recycling has become an essential part of environmental protection. However, not all recycling systems are the same. Manufacturers aim to combine efficiency and environmental protection. Among the various approaches, closed loop recycling stands out as a promising model. What are the differences to open loop recycling and is this method even worthwhile from an environmental point of view?

What Is Closed Loop Recycling?

Closed loop recycling is a special form of the conventional recycling process in which waste or products at the end of their life are collected, processed and reused to make new products of the same type. The emphasis here is on similar products, as this is the essence of a “closed loop”: In this system, the recycled material is used again and again in the same production process, which should reduce waste in the form of used products - the same happens with the need for new raw materials. The aim is to keep materials in circulation indefinitely and thus reduce the ecological footprint as much as possible. Use in the same production process (in certain cases even only by the same manufacturer) should ensure that the raw materials do not diminish in quality and that the material is “lost” as little as possible, meaning it can no longer be used in the recycling cycle of the manufacturer or the product. In this case, it would be necessary to use new raw materials, which would defeat the original purpose of the closed loop system.

Aluminum cans are often cited as a prime example of closed loop recycling. After use, the cans are collected, melted down and processed into new cans without any loss of quality or material properties. This process can theoretically be continued indefinitely, making it a particularly sustainable practice.

Our article on closed loop recycling is ideal for a detailed introduction to the topic.

Closed vs. Open Loop: What Are the Differences?

Open loop recycling refers to a process in which materials are recycled but transformed into other products instead of being reused in the same form. In concrete terms, this means that not the entire amount of material should or can be recycled, resulting in a certain percentage of waste. The raw material must then be replenished with new resources in the recycling process in order to maintain production in the desired quality and quantity. At first glance, this may seem counterproductive. So why is the open loop also used if fewer resources are consumed and less waste is produced in the closed loop?

Not every material is suitable for going through the individual stages of “re-production” several times. The transformation from waste material to raw material to new products can be stressful and make the materials no longer usable. In open loop systems, a downcycling process often takes place in which the quality or purity of the material decreases. Downcycling describes the opposite of upcycling and refers to the conversion of materials into lower-value products compared to the original products and their quality.  This process is necessary to support the reuse of raw materials that cannot be used several times without downcycling. A good example here is recycled paper: it often has a slightly grey or mottled coloration, as prints and ink have previously “ tainted” the paper. This does not mean that these raw materials can no longer fulfill their purpose. The intention of the process is to delay the end of the resources as a waste product for as long as possible - this reuse is extremely important for plastic products in particular.

We also use a form of open loop recycling: our fleece material made from upcycled textiles is a perfect example. The raw material comes from the clothing industry. In this case, it is upcycling, as the resulting products that we make from the nonwoven panels are assigned a higher value. This waste would otherwise have ended up in a landfill, but recycling allows it to be reused outside the textile industry and find new life in a new form. The textile fibers are processed with a matrix to give them their typical fleece structure. We then use the material to manufacture our cases and molded parts as a long-term sustainable resource. More about upcycling textiles.

Advantages and Disadvantages: Which Systems Is Bettter?

Closed Loop: What Speaks For It

Production in a closed loop results in a chain reaction that has many positive effects. By reusing materials, closed loop systems significantly reduce the need for new raw materials, conserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of extraction and processing. This is probably the primary goal of a closed loop system.

The consequence of this is also that less waste ends up in circulation, as the material is needed for (re)production. By keeping materials continuously in circulation, the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators is reduced, which reduces pollution and saves landfill space.

Closed loop systems promote the development of products that are designed for dismantling and recycling and drive innovation in the field of sustainable product design. The result is everyday objects that are resilient and durable. A focus on sustainable production is also always associated with a reduction: be it the frequency of purchases, the quantities of products or material waste. Closed loop systems can help to create an awareness of high-quality products on the part of manufacturers.

Here`s Where an Open Loop Makes Sense

Open loop recycling has advantages over closed loop recycling, as materials are not tied to a specific product or manufacturing process. For example, recycled plastics can be used to make park benches or fleece jackets instead of producing new plastic bottles from them. This creates new products that may also have adapted to modern consumer needs or requirements.

Closed loop systems often require a special infrastructure in order to recycle specific materials by type. This system is therefore less suitable for waste from everyday use, as consumers usually take the usual route via household waste. The open loop is therefore better suited to ensuring the highest possible recycling rates for these waste products too: The effort for the end consumer remains low and as much waste as possible is still avoided. This principle is used for PET bottles, for example, which in some cases are converted into lower-value plastic products such as packaging film.

However, it is also a fact that open loop materials have a lower recycling rate throughout their entire life cycle. Whether this be due to a lack of infrastructure or a lack of user awareness. While open loop recycling still keeps waste out of landfills, the material is not kept in its original form and the product eventually reaches an end of life where it cannot be further recycled.

 

What does the future hold? Closed loop systems are becoming more and more established and are becoming increasingly relevant in many industries - a very positive development. However, it should be noted that such a system cannot be implemented everywhere without problems, whether due to material properties, production requirements or other factors. In this case, open-loop systems are a good option for making the economy as sustainable as possible. We are convinced that every step counts for our future, however small it may seem.