10 Top Plastic Recycling Companies and Startups to Watch in 2026

Executive Summary: Which are the 10 New Plastic Recycling Companies to Watch?

1. Blue Polymers (USA) – builds polymer-based recycling technology that converts post-consumer plastic into food-grade resins for packaging, manufacturing, and consumer goods.
2. Bobine Chemistry (France) – builds induction-based chemical recycling technology that converts hard-to-recycle polyolefin waste into virgin-quality polymers
3. Midori Network (UAE) – develops container-based mobile recycling units that use nano-material technology to transform mixed plastic waste into recycled polymers and plastic lumber.
4. Rezbin (Philippines) – provides smart recycling bins that turn ordinary containers into gamified collection systems for users to earn rewards.
5. Lander (USA) – manufactures skateboard decks from ocean-recycled nylon, like abandoned fishing nets, and reinforced with glass fiber.
6. Pluvi (Italy) – designs eco-sustainable umbrellas made from recyclable polymers.
7. Postevand (Denmark) – creates recycled and organic-based cartons using paper and recycled plastic lining.
8. Binpong (USA) – offers a mobile-first recycling platform that uses blockchain to log plastic recycling actions.
9. Aciae (Australia) – produces footwear and clothing from ocean-bound and discarded plastics by converting waste into yarn.
10. Antfarm (Netherlands) – builds swarm-based robotic systems for automated waste sorting.

Global Startup Heat Map highlights New Plastic Recycling Companies to Watch

Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 9M+ startups, 20K+ technology trends, plus 150M+ patents, news articles & market reports, we identified the top plastic recycling companies.

The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights emerging plastic recycling startups you should watch in 2026, as well as the geo-distribution of 1410+ startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research.

According to our data, we observe high startup activity in the USA and India, followed by the UK. The top 5 Startup Hubs for plastic recycling are London, New York City, Melbourne, Dubai, and Mumbai.

New Plastic Recycling Companies & Startups to Watch [2026]

We hand-picked startups to showcase in this report by filtering for their technology, founding year, location, funding, and other metrics. These emerging plastic recycling startups work on solutions ranging from industrial plastic pellets and recycling tracking to recycled polymer and gamified recycling.

1. Blue Polymers – Polymer-based Resin Production

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
• Funding: USD 160 million

USA-based startup Blue Polymers converts post-consumer plastic recyclables into resin through a polymer technology. It collects household plastics, sorts them through multiple stages, and processes them into Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved, food-grade resins.

The startup’s approach ensures transparency and traceability while providing brands and consumers with a clear view of the conversion of waste into usable material. Its resin solutions are color-sorted and custom-formulated, and enable drop-in options for packaging, manufacturing, and consumer goods.

2. Bobine Chemistry – Induction-based Plastic Recycling

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France

French startup Bobine Chemistry develops an induction-activated catalysis technology that converts non-valorisable polyolefin plastic waste into virgin-quality polymers. The process begins with the pre-treatment of mixed plastic at moderate temperatures.

After this, induction catalysis enables pollutant removal and direct conversion into olefins without the need for pyrolysis, hydrotreatment, or high-temperature steam cracking. This patented method combines mature catalytic and induction technologies to achieve higher conversion efficiency while reducing energy demand, production costs, and CO2 emissions.

3. Midori Network – Mobile Recycling Modules

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Dubai, UAE

UAE-based startup Midori Network develops container-based mobile recycling units that turn plastic waste into recycled polymers and plastic lumber. Using nano-material technology, the system processes mixed plastic waste and produces durable, low-cost construction materials.

This way, the startup makes recycling benefit local communities, supports construction needs, and aids environmental groups tackle plastic pollution.

4. Rezbin – Gamified Plastic Recycling & Tracking

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Iloilo, Philippines
• Funding: USD 10 000 Grant Funding

Rezbin is a Philippines-based startup that provides smart recycling bins that transform ordinary trash containers into plug-and-play systems. These systems are equipped with technology to collect recyclables, track impact, and engage users.

The startup integrates gamified recycling through its mobile app to offer redeemable points for proper disposal. It also delivers real-time data and analytics on environmental impact to measure CO2 and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions while ensuring responsible waste handling.

5. Lander – Recycled Sea Plastic

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Los Angeles, California, USA

​Lander is a USA-based startup that produces skateboard decks using a proprietary blend of certified ocean-recycled nylon. This nylon is sourced from marine plastic, like abandoned fishing nets, and reinforced with glass fiber.

The startup employs an efficient injection molding process that eliminates production waste while ensuring durability and ride quality. The new material is certified under Global Recycled Standards and validated for recycled content through independent testing.

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6. Pluvi – Recycled Umbrella

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Bologna, Italy

Italian startup ​Pluvi designs eco-sustainable umbrellas made from polymer materials that are recyclable and can be recovered as a plastic bottle. Its products incorporate 50% recycled content and a manufacturing process that reduces CO2 emissions and energy use.

The umbrellas feature patented geometry that resists wind damage, flexible shafts for durability, and simplified snap-fit assemblies that eliminate screws and hinges to enhance reliability.

7. Postevand – Recycled Cartons

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

​Danish startup Postevand provides recycled and organic-based cartons. The cartons use paper from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified Nordic forest, while a thin recycled plastic lining protects the contents. Further, the cap of the carton is based on pine tree oil, a leftover of the paper-making process.

This design lowers climate impact and reduces reliance on fossil-based plastic. The solution targets environmentally conscious consumers, retailers, and wholesalers seeking sustainable packaging.

8. Binpong – Blockchain-based Recycling Rewards

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Dover, Delaware, USA

​Binpong is a USA-based startup mobile-first recycling app that enables users to scan barcodes through Telegram or its app, log plastic recyclable items, and instantly earn rewards. It integrates blockchain technology to record the recycling actions on the TON network, and ensures transparency and verifiable impact.

Further, the app provides dashboards to track progress, ranks, and environmental contributions, including measurable reductions in waste and impacts on animal life. Rewards range from crypto and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to discounts and partner perks.

9. Aciae – Recycled Footwear and Clothing

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Melbourne, Australia

Australian startup Aciae produces footwear and clothing made from post-consumption waste. The startup transforms ocean-bound and discarded plastics into recyclable yarn that supports a circular fashion economy.

It collects, cleans, and processes plastic waste into polymer flakes. These are melted and spun into durable yet soft fibers for shoes and apparel. This way, the startup eliminates contaminants, reduces landfill waste, and ensures its products remain recyclable at end-of-life.

10. Antfarm – Waste Sorting Robots

• Founding Year: 2024
• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Dutch startup Antfarm builds robotic systems that sort waste. It deploys coordinated swarms of robots for automated waste sorting, like plastic, and makes material recovery highly efficient.

Further, it improves throughput and reduces costs while ensuring higher purity in recyclates. Thus, the startup aids material recovery facilities to lower operational expenses.

Discover All Emerging Circular Economy Startups

The plastic recycling startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Recycling Technology Innovation Report for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2026!