This article addresses up-to-date considerations on the recycling of packing plastics, with focus on the food sector. In the worldwide context, an evaluation is provided of the increase in the volume of packing plastics for food preservation and comments are made on the associated sanitary, marketing, social, economic and environmental aspects. Potential recycling ways for packing plastics are evaluated, such as the mechanic transformation in new materials or products, resin recuperation, thermal transformation, packing refill and environmental degradation. The Brazilian context points to a potential viability of the recycling of packing plastics in terms of economical, social and marketing aspects. An efficient recycling industry demands, however, concerted actions from government and companies, in addition to further research in this field.
Recycling; packing plastics; foods
