The Problem Isn’t Plastics—It’s What Happens to Them  

We’ve all done it. You rinse out a plastic container, toss it into the blue bin, and feel good about doing your part. But what if I told you that plastic still ends up in a landfill—or worse, in our oceans and waterways? 

The problem isn’t that plastics exist. Plastics are one of the most important materials in modern society—they make our cars and trucks lighter and more fuel-efficient, they keep our food fresh, they are essential in healthcare, and they improve countless industries. The problem is that even though we “recycle”, much of it still goes to waste. The system is broken, and it’s time to stop the cycle.

At Real Cycle, we believe that every piece of plastic should have a second life. Whether it’s being turned into new products, fuels, chemicals, or energy, we believe every piece of plastic waste should be directed into a productive end use.

Real Solutions for a Real Problem  

Many traditional recycling methods fall short because they only work for a small percentage of plastics or don’t fully recycle the plastics. Meanwhile, proposed solutions like banning plastics or enforcing a strict circular economy aren’t feasible.

We need realistic, scalable solutions that work in the real world. That means:

• Increasing the end use of plastic waste – Every piece of plastic should have a viable second life, whether through mechanical recycling, advanced recycling, or energy recovery.
• Connecting waste streams to reuse streams – We already separate our trash, so more plastic should be redirected from the waste stream into practical, valuable applications.
• Supporting diverse solutions – From advanced recycling to energy recovery, we support a broad range of technologies that ensure plastics don’t go to waste.

How Real Cycle Aims to Stop the Cycle  

Real Cycle is dedicated to identifying and implementing scalable solutions that actually reduce plastic waste and put it to use. This isn’t about wishful thinking or empty promises—it’s about making tangible progress with realistic, achievable solutions. It’s about creating a waste-free economy.

Increasing the End Use of Plastic Waste  
Recycling isn’t just about collecting plastics—it’s about finding a use for them. Real Cycle works to expand the ways plastic waste can be repurposed. This means supporting everything from advanced recycling technologies to innovative reuse applications. Whether it’s turning waste plastics into fuels, chemicals, or even building materials, our focus is on solutions that will move the needle.

Supporting a Range of Solutions, Not Just One  

Conventional recycling alone isn’t enough. Real Cycle supports the expansion of advanced recycling methods that can take mixed or contaminated plastics and turn them back into valuable products. Some processes are already working in some places, but we know more can be done. No single approach will solve this problem alone. So, we focus on scalable solutions that will maximize reuse and put a measurable dent in tackling plastic waste.  

Advocating for Smart, Practical Policies  

The Real Cycle Project isn’t about banning plastics or pushing unrealistic policies. In fact, we think the free market has always been the best source of solutions. That’s why Real Cycle advocates for realistic, market-driven approaches that encourage real progress rather than just shifting the problem around. This means working with industries, innovators, and policymakers to implement a wide range of solutions that are practical, scalable, and economically viable. 

It’s Time to Get Real About Recycling  

The key to solving plastic waste isn’t eliminating plastics—it’s ensuring that every piece has a viable second use. As the saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” When waste plastics are consistently directed into productive reuse, we create a system where plastic waste becomes a resource rather than a problem. That’s how we’ll solve this thing.  

At The Real Cycle Project, we are focused on results, not just ideas. We are here to take action, to stop the cycle of waste, and to put real, scalable solutions into motion.  

It’s time to stop the cycle. Real Cycle!

Want to get involved? Reach out to us and help us get Real Cycling!