King's College London: Your recycling could be making climate change WORSE

April 29, 2026

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Think your recycling bin is saving the planet? Think again. New research from King's College London suggests that some popular green solutions, like recycling and using alternative materials, could actually be making it harder to cut emissions.

The Recycling Paradox

Researchers at King’s Business School have developed a framework showing that efforts to cut waste and switch to new materials can sometimes increase energy use. This makes it tougher for companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. The study, published in the British Journal of Management, highlights a real tension for businesses facing pressure to meet environmental targets.

LEGO's Green Struggle

The research uses The LEGO Group as an example. The company explored plant-based plastics in 2023 to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, these new materials were difficult to scale up while keeping the quality of LEGO bricks. This meant the changes didn't automatically cut overall emissions. In some cases, producing and processing these alternative materials actually required more energy.

A Vicious Cycle?

This isn't just a LEGO problem. Actions supporting a circular economy, such as recycling or refurbishing products, can boost energy demand across production systems. The researchers describe this as a "vicious cycle," where firms create new environmental problems when pursuing different goals in isolation.

Rethinking Sustainability

Professor Jonatan Pinkse, Research Director at the Centre for Sustainable Business at King’s Business School, stated, "What matters is how firms manage these 'vicious' and 'virtuous' tensions." He added that companies need to rethink product design and supply chains to make sustainability goals work together. Rajat Panwar, Professor of Responsible and Sustainable Business at Oregon State University, agreed, saying, "Companies need to rethink how products are designed and how supply chains work if they want sustainability goals to reinforce each other."

Coordinated Change is Key

The study suggests that cutting emissions needs more than just individual green initiatives. Firms must coordinate changes across materials, processes, and supply chains. Policymakers also need to understand that different environmental targets can interact in unexpected ways.

Author

South London News Smart London Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From sustainable urban planning to AI-driven city services, the South London News Smart London Desk offers comprehensive coverage of how our environment is evolving. Our editorial staff provide analysis on urban innovation, green tech, and local infrastructure shifts, ensuring our readers understand the technologies shaping their future neighbourhoods.

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