Recycled plastic products are changing. It’s not just bottles and bags anymore. New technology is making it easier to recycle more types of plastic, and manufacturers are finding better ways to reuse that material. As a result, what we throw away today might become tomorrow’s building material, furniture, or even car part.
If you’re in Wisconsin—especially the Fox Valley—you’ve probably seen how much plastic waste piles up. But behind the scenes, companies are working hard to reduce that waste and turn it into something useful. Here’s a look at the latest trends and where recycled plastic products are heading next.
One of the biggest problems in recycling has always been sorting. When plastic isn’t sorted properly, it gets contaminated and can’t be reused. But new systems are fixing that. Companies now use AI-powered sorting machines that can recognize plastic types by shape, color, and even chemical makeup. This makes the process faster and more accurate.
What does this mean for you? It means more of the plastic you recycle can actually be turned into something new. It also means higher-quality recycled plastic resins for manufacturers, like the ones we provide here at Becher Plastics.
Not all plastics are the same. Some—like PET used in water bottles—have been easy to recycle for years. Others—like films, foams, or multi-layer packaging—have been tougher. But that’s changing.
Chemical recycling is one of the big breakthroughs. It breaks plastic down to its molecular level, so it can be reused almost like new. This process can handle materials that traditional recycling can’t. That includes plastics found in electronics, automotive parts, and food packaging.
In Wisconsin, where manufacturing and agriculture rely heavily on plastic-based materials, this opens up new ways to reuse waste locally and keep it out of landfills.
There’s a growing demand for recycled plastic products that don’t just feel like a second-best option. Builders, designers, and engineers want materials that work as well—or better—than new plastic. And manufacturers are delivering.
At Becher Plastics, we’ve seen the demand for high-performance recycled resins go up. These resins are used in industrial parts, storage bins, furniture, and more. They’re durable, clean, and meet strict quality standards. In many cases, they’re nearly indistinguishable from virgin plastic.
This means companies can lower their environmental impact without sacrificing performance. That’s a big win for manufacturers in Wisconsin and beyond.
Recycling doesn’t just start at the bin—it starts with design. More companies are thinking about how to make products easier to recycle in the first place. This includes:
Some companies even design products with built-in recycling loops. For example, they might collect worn-out parts from customers and turn them into new ones. These types of “closed-loop” systems are becoming more common in the automotive and packaging industries.
It’s a shift from a “take-make-waste” model to something more circular and sustainable.
While these innovations are exciting, real change depends on local systems. That’s why companies like Becher Plastics focus on providing recycled plastic resins and full-spectrum recycling services right here in Wisconsin. Our goal is simple: help businesses in the Fox Valley and surrounding areas reduce their carbon footprints by reusing what we already have.
Being based in Menasha means we know what local manufacturers need. Whether it’s custom resin blends or help with setting up a recycling program, we offer solutions that work for Wisconsin businesses.
If you're a manufacturer, you don’t need to wait for a new law or global movement. You can start making changes today:
Even small changes in material choice or process design can make a big difference over time.
The future of recycled plastic products isn’t just about making more stuff from waste. It’s about making smarter choices—using better materials, reducing energy use, and keeping plastic in the loop for as long as possible.
Technology will keep improving. But the heart of recycling still comes down to people—how we design, manufacture, and reuse plastic in our day-to-day lives.
At Becher Plastics, we’re proud to be part of that effort. If you’re looking for recycled plastic resins or want to improve your business’s sustainability, we’re here to help.
Want to Learn More? Contact us at Becher Plastics to request a quote or talk about your recycling needs. Let’s build a cleaner future—together.
