For the fifth consecutive year, the Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation (HERRCO) participated in the Delphi Economic Forum, showcasing its critical role in advancing packaging recycling in Greece and promoting a strategic vision for fostering a society with a strong environmental conscience.
As part of the Forum, Mr. Michael E. Economakis, Chairman of HERRCO, joined a panel discussion titled "The Urgency of Circularity: A Critical Response to Lower Climate Ambition." The conversation focused on the transition toward a modern sustainable development model rooted in circular economy principles—shifting from the linear “produce-consume-dispose” model to a “produce-consume-reuse” approach. Packaging recycling was highlighted as a key driver of this transformation, delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits by turning waste into resources, reducing energy consumption, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing landfill use. At the same time, it contributes to job creation, making it a dynamic sector within the green economy.
In 2024, HERRCO successfully recycled 504,000 tons of packaging materials—well above its regulatory obligation of 330,000 tons, achieving 152% of its target. In addition, the organization processed approximately 50,000 tons of non-packaging recyclables (primarily printed paper), contributing to the broader recycling goals of the country, as well as those of regional and local authorities.
Since its founding, HERRCO has invested approximately €427 million in infrastructure and operations to ensure its system effectively supports 99% of Greece’s population, providing the necessary tools for municipalities and citizens to engage in recycling practices.
The panel also addressed key challenges facing the future of packaging recycling systems in Greece. A major issue remains non-compliant businesses, which avoid contributing to any recycling system—accounting for an estimated 44% of the market, based on official data. This leads to underfunding of essential recycling programs and undermines local authorities’ efforts. The discussion also covered the upcoming Deposit Return System (DRS) for plastic bottles and metal cans, scheduled to launch by December 1, 2025, underscoring the need for a clear, unified framework to ensure smooth implementation and long-term success across all recycling systems.
HERRCO also presented its ongoing investments in innovation and automation, aimed at enhancing waste sorting processes. A key example is the AI-powered robotic waste sorter operating at the Thermi Materials Recovery Facility, capable of accurately identifying and separating PET plastics, HDPE plastics, and aluminum packaging.
HERRCO is also a proud participant in the European RECLAIM project, which introduces a revolutionary approach to waste sorting through the world’s first portable robotic Material Recovery Facility (prMRF). This unit utilizes advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to automatically sort recyclable materials, offering significant improvements in efficiency, flexibility, and cost reduction. The project is funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program.
Mr. Michael E. Economakis, Chairman of HERRCO, remarked: “In a world that is constantly evolving, the circular economy is the only viable path to address the climate crisis. Twenty-four years ago, HERRCO laid the foundation for a robust packaging recycling system. Guided by our extensive experience, specialized expertise, and a well-organized infrastructure—including Blue Bins, Blue Bells, and the Recycling Sorting Centers—we’ve built an efficient national network. Through this system, we optimize the recovery of packaging waste, creating meaningful environmental, economic, and social value for Greece.”
