Key course information
- Course learning format: RECORDED ONLINE COURSE
- More course dates: See below or click 'Register'
- Pricing and early bird rates: click 'Register' to preview
- Course duration: 5+ hours of recorded modules available
- Course access: 28 days to access course materials, learn when it suits you
- Learning support: Optional live Q&A after course completion
- Electronic course notes
- Gain CPD Credits: Smithers training is IOM3 Quality Assured and counts towards professional development.
To book, click Register and choose a session
Looking for an alternative format?
Upcoming online course dates
| Select a session when registering | |
|---|---|
| 8 Dec - 5 Jan 26 | 31 Aug - 28 Sep 26 |
| 19 Jan - 16 Feb 26 | 9 Nov - 7 Dec 26 |
| 13 Apr - 11 May 26 | |
Course overview
With growing global focus on sustainability, organisations face increasing pressure to reduce waste and improve recycling rates. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to plastics recycling - covering regulatory requirements, recovery and re-processing technologies, and the many ways recycled materials can be used to create new, valuable products.
You’ll also explore the wider environmental impact of plastics, the challenges of designing for recyclability, and the measures that support more sustainable production and material use. By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge to make informed decisions, identify opportunities and contribute to more sustainable practices within your organisation.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:- Understand how plastics recycling is carried out, the technical and commercial challenges involved, and the range of available reuse and recovery options.
- Recognise how design and material selection influence recyclability and overall environmental impact.
- Gain an up-to-date understanding of the role of plastics in modern society and the sustainability issues they present.
- Identify the key environmental factors that must be managed across the product life cycle.
Course content
Covering everything from the origins of plastics to the future of sustainable materials, this course explores how recycling, regulation and design innovation are transforming the industry’s environmental performance.The Evolution of Plastics
- Explore how the plastics industry developed, key growth drivers, and the advantages of polymers over traditional materials. Understand major end-use markets, manufacturing methods and the factors shaping today’s global plastics economy.
- Examine the historical and current effects of plastics on the environment using real data and case studies. Review how packaging design, recycling infrastructure and material choice influence sustainability, and learn how life-cycle assessment (LCA) is used to quantify and reduce impact.
- Gain a global perspective on environmental and recycling legislation—from the 1980s to the present day. Understand the directives, standards and initiatives driving the transition to a circular economy and how governments, NGOs and industry are responding.
- Review the main processes for plastics recycling, from collection and sorting to decontamination and re-processing. Learn about advanced “SuperClean” systems that return materials to high-value applications such as food-contact products.
- Discuss key topics including marine plastics, single-use items, multi-layer films and black plastics. Discover how new technologies and collaborative initiatives are improving sorting, recovery and market acceptance of recycled materials.
- Explore the options for re-using end-of-life plastics—from bottle-to-bottle recycling and incorporation into other products to energy recovery and fuel conversion.
- An introduction to this rapidly growing class of sustainable materials, their properties and applications in compostable, biodegradable and food-contact products.
- Bringing the topics together, assess how regulation, innovation and circular-economy strategies are shaping the future of plastics recycling and sustainability worldwide.
Who should attend
This course is ideal for professionals and organisations seeking to understand the environmental impact of plastics and the options for managing it more effectively.
It will be particularly valuable for:
- Those involved in the plastics supply chain with responsibility for sustainability or compliance.
- Design engineers, buyers, environmental and waste managers, and management system representatives.
- Anyone wanting a clear overview of current regulations, recycling practices and industry initiatives driving the circular economy.
Meet your expert tutor
Dr Mohammed Alkattan – Consultant
With over 16 years’ experience in polymer science and biomaterials, Mohammed specialises in developing and commercialising advanced materials for medical and food-contact applications. A product development leader and consultant, he bridges the gap between R&D innovation and market-ready solutions, with expertise spanning hydrogels, biodegradable polymers and regulatory compliance.
What our delegates say about the course material
“As with all Smithers courses I have attended, this was excellent, well timed, good delivery and excellent slides.”
Paula Douglas (QUB)
“A very good course as it provides the technical knowledge as well as the legislative points important in recycling”
Pooja Mandal (Condron Concrete Works)
Contact us or download a brochure
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