Project Overview
What if the plastics we lose today could become the resources of tomorrow?
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Plastic waste is one of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. Every year, millions of tons end up in landfills, incinerators, or in the environment — simply because they are too complex to recycle. Particularly challenging are plastics from End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) and WEEE shredder residues, even though they contain valuable resources.
This is where SENSE4LIFE, a project co-funded by the EU LIFE Programme, comes in. Five partners. Four years. One shared mission: to transform Europe’s most difficult plastic waste streams into high-value, sustainable materials and move towards a truly circular plastics economy.
By combining advanced sensor technology with innovative processing methods, we aim to unlock materials that are currently lost — turning waste into valuable resources for new products.
Why does this matter?
Because solving the global plastic challenge requires more than incremental change — it demands new technologies, strong collaboration, and bold thinking.
What we are developing has the potential to take recycling to an entirely new level. While we can’t reveal everything yet, one thing is clear: this is not just another project — it’s a step towards redefining how plastics are recovered and reused.
And this is just the beginning.
Over the coming months, we’ll take you along the journey and share:
• Key project milestones
• Behind-the-scenes insights from our partners
• Technology developments and breakthroughs
• Interactive challenges and updates
Follow our journey and join us in shaping the future of sustainable plastics in Europe.
The Consortum
Sense2Sort
Sense2Sort turns advanced sensor technology into new solutions for circular plastic recycling.
Serviplast
Serviplast is a multi-activity company combining industrial expertise with social impact.
CRF
Centro Ricerche Fiat (CRF) is the Fiat Group’s innovation center for advanced research and development.
LIFE
LIFE ist das einzige Förder-programm der EU, das ausschließlich auf Umwelt-schutzbelange abzielt.
Have you ever thought about it?
How much plastic is lost each year in Europe?
Around 25 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually in Europe — nearly half of it, about 10–12 million tonnes, is not recycled and is effectively lost.
How many different types of plastics are used in a car?
Around 30 to 40 different types of plastics are used in a typical car, each chosen for specific functions like durability, flexibility, and weight reduction.
Why are all the appliances in your kitchen black?
Because black plastic is durable, heat-resistant, and cost-effective — but also one of the hardest materials to recycle with conventional technologies.
What if the plastic you throw away today can never be recycled?
Then it doesn’t just disappear — it becomes waste for decades, often burned, buried, or polluting our environment. And with it, we lose valuable resources that could have been part of a circular future.
