Page 35 - Plastics News December 2021

INTERNATIoNAL NEwS

Stina Report Looks At Barriers To Increasing E PA Calls F or

Food-Grade PCR Action On Declining
Recycling Rates In

Ireland

The Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is calling for urgent action
against increasing volumes of waste
and falling recycling rates in Ireland.
Data published in the EPA’s National
Waste Statistics Summary Report for
2019 shows Ireland’s packaging waste
rose by 11% to 1.1 million tonnes in
2019.Paper and cardboard accounted
for 42% of this waste, while plastic
tina Inc.,a Califoria based recycling study, “In Canada and the United States, made up 28%.The waste also included
Sadvocacy outfit , has released “2021 the vast majority of plastic products smaller amounts of glass, wood,
Assessing the State of Food Grade and packaging produced each year and metal and textiles. Recycling rates
Recycled Resin in Canada & the United placed on the market is not suitable for both packaging and municipal
States,” a report that was commissioned for processing into food-grade PCR. waste fell from their 2018 levels,
by Environment and Climate Change Interviews and research point to three
Canada. The report is in support of primary reasons for this: The package
the Canadian government’s work toward or product was initially produced using
meeting its comment to work with nonfood-grade resin (virgin or PCR);
industry to incorporate at least 50 percent converters add nonfood-safe additives
recycled content in plastic products, during product or packaging production;
where applicable, by 2030. Stina says or packaged products leach nonfood-
its staff talked with 16 companies (five safe contaminants into the package. To
reclaimers/recyclers, four consumer address these issues, the report calls in part
packaged goods companies, three for greater transparency in the chemical
converters, two trade associations and composition of products to ensure the with more waste being taken for
two equipment manufacturers) known suitability of products for recycling in energy recovery. The recycling rate
to produce or consume large quantities food-grade PCR; expanded use of design for packaging fell from 70% in 2013
of food-grade postconsumer resin for recycling to improve the quality of to 62% in 2019, while recycling rates
(PCR) in North America in addition collected material; requiring recycled- for plastic packaging declined to 28%.
to reviewing a number of publicly content verification (e.g., standards The EPA report also revealed that
available reports. The company’s and labeling) to reduce false claims and Ireland continued to export several key
report details the challenges across the drive market efficiency; and the use waste streams for treatment, with just
mechanical recycling value chain and of various economic incentives that 16% of all packaging waste recycled
where investments are needed. It also value products and packages with lower domestically. Ireland recycled around
addresses solutions to increase recycled overall environmental impacts, including 690,000t of packaging waste in 2019,
resin in food packaging applications rewarding companies committed to using equivalent to 61% of all packaging
over the next five to 10 years, including PCR in their food packaging. According waste generated in the country. EPA
increasing collection and recycling to the report, decoupling the price of Office of Environmental Sustainability
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high- PCR from virgin resins via recycled- director Sharon Finegan said, “Our
density polyethylene (HDPE) and content requirements or advanced rising levels of waste are unsustainable
polypropylene (PP) for use in food- disposal fees would help level the playing and systemic change is needed to shift
grade applications. According to the field between virgin resin and PCR. the focus to designing out waste and
promoting reuse and recycling.”

34 PLASTICS NEWS DECEMBER 2021 35 PLASTICS NEWS DECEMBER 2021