Switching to a circular economy for plastic packaging

// insights

// Circular

In January 2018 the European Commission accepted a strategy (1) for plastic material, according to the EU:s action plan for a circular economy. According to the plan, all plastic packaging on the European market will be recyclable by 2030.

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.

The EU also works with future actions to implement the strategy:

  • The Packaging and Packaging waste directive.
  • Improve traceability of chemicals and address problems with inherited substances in recycling streams.
  • New eco-design actions: review requirements to support the recyclability of plastics.
  • Legislation on disposable plastic articles.

Create opportunities from the challenges!

The movement towards a more sustainable and circular plastic economy can, additionally to environmental effects, also create significant economic benefits. Four areas with a large economic impact in design improvement have been identified and quantified (3):

  • Appearance and construction
  • Polymer selection
  • Color selection
  • Additives

Better product design can provide savings of between 77-120 EUR/tons of plastic waste.

Knightec runs a specialist area, Sustainable Plastic Design, with the task of evaluating sustainability in all aspects of the plastic design. From creative concept solutions, design, and material selection to producibility, production, and costs. Knightec can develop innovative solutions based on our dimensions of competence as well as our extensive experience in plastic construction.

Author

Madelene Wiil is an Advisor at Knightec. She has several years of experience in plastic construction and product development, especially within Medtech and consumer products. Madelene is a member of the sustainable plastic design specialist area and works with advice and training for designers and customers.

References:

  1. COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS, A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy {SWD(2018) 16 final}, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/legal-documents-plastics-strategy-circular-economy_sv
  2. ANNEXES to the Communication from the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy {SWD(20198) 16 final}, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/legal-documents-plastics-strategy-circular-economy_sv
  3. Ellen MacArthur Foundation, The new plastics economy: Rethinking the future of plastics & Catalysing action, (2017), https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications.

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