European plastics groups form group to boost plastics recycling

Three European plastics industry associations have joined together to create a value chain collaboration to drive Europe’s polyolefins-based packaging recycling efforts. The three associations – Plastics Europe, Plastics Converters and Plastics Recyclers Europe – have launched a new Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform (PCEP) through which the three groups hope others will work with the associations to boost recycling efforts through Europe.

In a release, the three groups say that the plastics industry recognizes that the business-as-usual approach being taken will not result in meeting the target of 55 percent plastic packaging reuse and recycling target by 2025, as outlined in the European Commission’s Circular Economy Package.

The three groups say that what is required is a drive to create a more circular economy, fresh approaches and new thinking. To accomplish this, the new platform will be working for a 5-10-year horizon based on what they call effective, science-based solutions.

To accomplish this, the platform is seeking to create a multi-stakeholder group that will identify the barriers and opportunities to increase Europe’s recycling levels and work towards ensuring the supply of high-quality recycled plastics for the European market. The group’s ability to strengthen the recycling side will then drive the economic growth in Europe and create new jobs as Europe moves towards a more circular economy.

To reach these goals, the groups say that innovation will be key and will require both public and private support to be successful.

The following priority areas of work have been identified:

• developing packaging design guidelines and assessment protocols according to the principles of the circular economy; 
• innovating to increase the recyclability of flexible and rigid packaging;
• EU-wide quality standards for sorted plastics, harmonization of test methods for recycled plastic materials and certification of plastic recycling operations;
• innovation and development of end use markets to encourage demand for recycled plastics;
• stimulating innovation to improve mechanical recycling, conversion technologies and reuse; and
• driving the research and development of new technologies to convert nonmechanically recyclable plastics into feedstock for the production of new materials.