Page 50 - Plastcs News January 2019

internAtionAL news

The European Commission starts BPF have launches new guidance

the Circular Plastics Alliance to help packaging designers

he European Commission has started the Circular ECOUP and the British Plastics Federation (BPF)
TPlastics Alliance of key industries to cover the full Rhave launched new guidance to help packaging
plastics value chain to reduce plastics littering, increase designers create easy-to-recycle plastic packaging.
the share of recycled plastics and help market innovation. Big brands are being encouraged to use the guidance
The Circular Plastics Alliance will make efforts to improve to ensure their packaging products can be easily
the economics and quality of plastics recycling in Europe. processed at the end of their lives to avoid going to
Matching between supply and demand for recycled plastics landfill, and instead be recycled into new products
in an important move towards developing a circular
economy. In this environmental initiative, the plastics
industry is providing the resource to top product design
schools across the country, distributing it within the
plastics manufacturing industry, and offering it free of
charge on the BPF and RECOUP websites. Philip Law,
director general of the British Plastics Federation, said:
“We are very happy to collaborate with RECOUP on
this project, and hope this step helps bring together
stakeholders involved in the production of plastic
packaging, so we can pool our knowledge and expertise

is found to be the main obstacle to a well-functioning to help leave the environment in a better state for
EU market of recycled plastics. The launching of the future generations.”RECOUP chief executive Stuart
Circular Plastics Alliance will contribute to achieving Foster stated at the seminar:
at least 10 million tons of recycled plastics into new “As interest in designing packaging for recyclability has
products on the EU market by 2025.“Close cooperation grown in the past 12 months, it has been recognised that
within and between all the links in the plastics value we need summary
chain is essential if we are to achieve a true circular guidance and this
plastics economy and ensure that recycled plastics find is what we have
their way to new products, instead of into landfills or done. We hope this
the incinerators”, said, Frans Timmermans, First Vice
President responsible for sustainable development. He, will help people
added, “The Circular Plastics Alliance aims to facilitate on their journey
this cooperation, building on the commitments the to develo ping
plastics industry has already made and encouraging more recyclable
even more ambitious action. Europe already leads this, packaging.”
and Europe will be the first one to reap the benefits as Based on industry
well. This is the best way to show the world that circular expert advice, the
plastic economy is good for the business and good for the document provides
environment.”Jyrki Katainen, Vice-President, responsible simple tips including avoiding the use of strong
for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, colours, ensuring that closures are easily separable
commented, “European industry has already clearly and that, when possible, packaging products should be
committed to more sustainable plastics with the pledges composed of a single material. Detailed information
that they have submitted to the Commission. Business is also offered on what to do when using multiple
understands this is an opportunity to innovate and to types of plastics, including which plastic types
become global frontrunners in new technology and can be combined and which combinations should
materials, in line with circular economy logic.” be avoided.

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