PRE study indicates packaging recycling goal can be met

A new study by Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) concludes that the European Union’s 65 percent recycling target for plastic packaging is achievable by 2025. The study determines a set of measures and necessary tools that will result in attaining this recycling rate, according to PRE.

Proposed measures focus, among other aspects, on improving the quality and capacity of the sorting of plastic packaging scrap in the EU. Increased attention to designing for recycling also would increase the recyclability of plastics packaging on the market and reduce sorting and recycling costs, PRE says.

Such measures would lead to an increased quality of the produced recyclables and ultimately raise consumers’ confidence in recycled products, PRE indicates. “The recommended measures should be complemented with strong communication across the plastics value chain and with a legislative push enabling higher uptake of recycled materials,” PRE states in a news release announcing the study.

PRE indicates the study also highlights the environmental, societal and economic benefits of increased recycling rates. Substitution of virgin with recycled plastics saves 80 percent of CO₂ emissions, creates 115,400 jobs and an extra €1 billion ($1.18 billion) in economic benefits, according to the organization.

The proposed measures and the entailed benefits are “clear indicators as to why [EU] legislators should strongly keep pursuing the ambitious target to enable circularity for plastics,” PRE states.