Plastics can aid the circular economy – How can the increased collection and recycling of plastics enable a more circular economy for Europe? – Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic - Arhive

This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic  Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic  Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic  Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic  Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic  Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic  

Plastics can aid the circular economy

 

Plastics circular economy recyclable plastic

How can the increased collection and recycling of plastics enable a more circular economy for Europe?

It’s a question that’s more pressing than ever. The European Commission’s recently adopted Plastics Strategy notes “the way plastics are currently produced, used and discarded fails to capture the economic benefits of a more ‘circular’ approach” to production and consumption.

In our industry, for instance, we use bottles made of a lightweight, recyclable plastic – polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – to preserve the unique qualities of natural mineral and spring water from source to consumer. Drink bottles made of PET are already the most recycled of all plastic packaging materials. But we need to do more to ensure that every bottle has a second life.

Key to realising this goal is increasing the collection rates for PET bottles. These currently vary considerably across the EU. Some member states collect over 90% of all PET bottles, while others manage less than 20%. This is despite industry-led efforts to establish and contribute to national recovery and recycling schemes.

Our industry aims to work towards an EU average collection rate of 90% by 2025. However, member states currently track collection rates in different ways and there is no harmonised data specifically related to the collection of PET drink bottles. That is why we are encouraging the European Commission to take action on the gathering of polymer-specific data. By knowing exactly how many PET drink bottles are currently being collected across the EU, we can have a better idea of where we are starting from – and how we can deliver on our 90% collection rate pledge. Increasing the collection of PET bottles will have a direct, tangible impact on litter levels, but it also enables another key step in the circularity process – recycling.

Used PET bottles are a valuable resource. They can be integrated into the production of multiple new items – from textiles and car parts to a new generation of bottles.

Collection is a priority area. Policymakers, industry and citizens can play a vital role in tackling the unacceptable phenomenon of litter.

While increased collection of high-quality PET will pave the way towards greater usage of this valuable material, action in other areas is just as important. Investing in research and development on product innovation is another key priority for our industry and of course there is a need to engage with consumers, who are important partners in catalysing Europe’s shift towards a more circular economy. As an industry, we are committed to doing more on all of the above.

From the producer who places a product on the market using recyclable packaging and the consumer disposing of it responsibly, to the municipal authorities collecting it or the recyclers turning it into a valuable new resource – we all have a role to play in making sure every single PET bottle gets a second life. EFBW members are committed to moving forward on this issue. We hope others will join us on the journey.

Jean-Pierre Deffis is president of the EFBW

Related Topics

-EuPC and Unionplast present “A Circular Future with Plastics” on 24 & 25 May 2018 – EuPC Unionplast Circular Future Plastics

-The Circular Economy Network, the circularity observatory, is born – The Circular Economy Network is born, the circularity observatory in Italy, created by the Foundation for Sustainable Development and by a group of 13 companies and green business associations in view of the definitive approval in June of the European circular economy package – Circular Economy Network circularity observatory

-Plastic in a circular economy: Major players form UK Plastics Pact – The UK Plastics Pact plans to eradicate single-use plastic from the supply chain and has been signed by more than 40 major players in the food and non-food industry – Plastic circular economy UK Plastics Pact

-European Parliament Votes Through Circular Economy Package – European Parliament Circular Economy Package

-Circular Economy Strategy for Packaging Adopted by Nestlé – Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, is to make all its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025 – Circular Economy Strategy Packaging Nestlé

-Nestle to Get Rid of Non-Recyclable Packaging by 2025 – Nestle announced plans to make its packaging more environmentally friendly on Tuesday. Image courtesy of Flickr user howardlake – Nestle NonRecyclable Packaging

-Pure Life introduces rPET bottles in US – Nestlé Waters North America bottled water brand Nestlé Pure Life Purified Water has launched a new 700mL bottle developed by using food grade recycled plastic (rPET) – Nestlè Pure Life rPET bottles US

-OUTLOOK ’18: Europe R-PET, the market that lost its bottle – For the majority of 2017, post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles were tight and, thereby, upwards pressure was placed on pricing of all R-PET products – Europe RPET market bottle