Around 28,5 million tons of plastic waste is generated in Europe each year, packaging being approximately 50% of this volume. It is estimated that 95% of the material value of plastic packaging, or 70-105 billion EUR, are lost each year after being used only one time. The EU vision for a new plastic economy is:
“A smart, innovative and sustainable plastics industry, where design and production fully respects the needs of reuse, repair, and recycling, brings growth and jobs to Europe and helps cut EU's greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on imported fossil fuels”
The transition towards a more sustainable circular plastic economy can in addition to environmental effects, also create considerable economic benefits.
What does this mean for the industry?
In the report, there is a plan (2) of recommended actions for national authorities and industries. They are meant to improve the economy and quality for plastic recycling, minimize plastic waste and littering, drive investment and innovation towards circular solutions and develop the global process.
The plastic industry is urged to:
- Take concrete steps towards improving dialogue and collaboration throughout the value chain, especially regarding material and product design aspects.
- Make voluntary commitments that support the goal of the strategy, especially regarding absorption of recycled plastic.
- Promote existing more environmentally friendly alternatives for one-use plastic products (for example in catering and take-aways).
- Strive for and create cross-industry agreements to reduce emissions of microplastics into the environment.
- Introduce measures to prevent plastic pellet spill.
- Increase infrastructure- and R&D-investments to achieve the goals of the strategy.
- Participate in setting up a private investment fund to compensate for a negative environmental effects of plastic production.
- Actively support an integrated, cross-border, circular plastic economy by contributing to the development of a global plastic protocol.