Page 31 - Plastics News April 2022

Australia Announces Funding For Processing Apr Chief Cites Concerns
Plastic Packaging Over Degradable Additives

technology and help increase plastic re-
cycling rates by expanding access to plas-
tic feedstock. It will also help Australia
meet its target to make 70% of its plas-
tic packaging recyclable or compostable
and increase the average amount of recy-
cled content in its packaging by 50% by
2025. Australian Waste Reduction and
Environmental Management Assistant
he Government of Australia has Minister Trevor Evans “The latest round
Tannounced a A$60m ($44.4m) of funding under the Recycling Modern-
funding stream to help process ‘prob- isation Fund will create new demand for
lematic’ plastic crisp packets and bread recycled materials, giving consumers the
bags by developing ‘advanced’ plastic confidence that the products they buy are he chief executive of the As-
recycling technology. Announced by made from recycled content.” In a sepa- Tsociation of Plastic Recyclers
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the rate development, a coalition led by the (APR) has issued a statement citing
investment takes the government’s Re- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial the organisation's concerns that de-
cycling Modernisation Fund (RMF) Research Organisation (CSIRO) has an- gradable additives will have negative
to a total of A$250m. The RMF is nounced an initial investment of A$50m effects on PCR. Steve Alexander,
intended to expand the country’s sort- in CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mis- President & CEO of the Associa-
ing, processing and remanufacturing sion. The coalition also includes contri- tion of Plastic Recyclers (APR), said
of recycled materials such as plastic, butions from industries, government, in statement that Claims regarding
paper, cardboard, tyres and glass. Mor- universities and other organisations. The the recyclability of degradable addi-
rison said: “This new funding stream, funding will be used to develop technol- tives are unfounded, untested, and
dedicated to helping solve the problem ogy designed to optimise the manufac- possibly misleading as outlined by
of hard to recycle plastic waste, dem- turing, recycling and disposing of plastic the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's
onstrates our determination to invest in Australia. Australians use one million Green Guide. No third-party testing
in Australian industry, to growing tonnes of single-use plastics every year, data has confirmed these recyclability
the recycling sector and to creating a 12% of which is recycled. In addition, claims. APR urges companies making
stronger economy and stronger future single-use plastics account for 75% of the such claims to share their supporting
for Australia. The funding is expected plastic found along Australia’s coastlines. data with the recycling community.
to expedite access to advanced waste APR is concerned that degradable
additives will have a negative effect
Canadian Government To Invest In Produce on mechanical recycling of postcon-
sumer plastics because these addi-
Packaging Recycling Project tives could compromise the integrity
or useful life of plastic packaging or
he Canadian government has an- dian Produce Marketing Association durable products made from recycled
Tnounced an investment to help (CPMA). The CPMA is a not-for-profit resins that contain these additives.
Canada’s fresh produce industry tran- organisation that aims to enhance Can- The use of such degradable additives
sition to sustainable food and pro- ada’s fresh produce market and allow its in packaging may render the packag-
duce packaging. Agriculture and Agri- member organisations to trade produce ing non-recyclable because they lower
Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau more easily. The organisation will put the functionality and sustainability of
said the government will invest up to the investment towards a national pilot recycled postconsumer plastics when
C$376,200 ($299,869) in the Cana- project to help develop sustainable pack- included with recyclable plastics.

31 PLASTICS NEWS April 2022