Is recycled plastic worse for us than virgin plastic, especially in drinking bottles, and does it release more microplastics? There is some truth behind the concern, recycled plastics can contain a mix of chemicals from their previous uses. However, food-grade plastics like PET drink bottles are heavily regulated, with strict EU limits on chemical migration into food and drink. The bigger concern may be in products like toys, where recycled plastics could combine chemicals from multiple sources, which is why the EU is tightening rules around substances like PFAS and endocrine disruptors. So while recycled plastic can potentially carry more chemical complexity, regulations are designed to keep exposure levels low, especially in food and drink packaging.

This episode of Recycled Content, is the 'Rubbish Question' from episode 46 of Talking Rubbish, which first aired on 12th June 2025.

While every effort has been made to provide the most accurate information, recycling guidance changes quickly and some advice may become outdated over time. Always check with your local council for the rules that apply to recycling in your area. On the main Talking Rubbish podcast, we include an additions and corrections section where we update anything we may have got wrong.

These clips come from the weekly show, Talking Rubbish - The Recycling Podcast

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