Can recycled plastic pellets used in new products contain harmful plasticizers and flame retardants?

What's actually in it

Recycled plastic pellets are melted-down plastic waste that gets reformed into new products. The problem is that the original products contained chemical additives like phthalates, flame retardants, and other plasticizers. When these plastics are recycled, the additives carry over into the new product, sometimes at even higher concentrations.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Sci Total Environ tested recycled plastic pellets for chemical contamination. The researchers found phthalates, non-phthalate plasticizers, and organophosphate flame retardants in the pellets. These chemicals would end up in whatever new product the pellets are made into, from food containers to children's toys.

Recycled products marketed as eco-friendly may actually carry higher chemical loads than virgin plastic because they combine additives from multiple source materials.

Be cautious with recycled plastic products, especially for food contact or children's use. Choose glass, metal, or certified food-safe plastics for food storage and children's products.