The International Organization for Standardization (ISO; Geneva, Switzerland) has introduced a new ISO standard, ISO 15270:2008, Plastics – Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastics waste, that could help expand plastics recovery and recycling worldwide. Copies of the new standard can be ordered for 78 Swiss francs (about $76).

According to ISO, the new Standard will assist plastics processors and other industry stakeholders in the development of a sustainable global infrastructure for plastics recovery and recycling, as well as a sustainable market for recovered plastics materials and their derived manufactured products. It establishes the different options for the recovery of plastics waste from pre-consumer (industrial waste) and post-consumer sources. This Standard also establishes the quality requirements that should be considered during plastics recovery, be it mechanical or energy recovery. It also provides recommendations for inclusion in material standards, test standards, and product specifications.—[email protected]