Page 34 - Plastics News July 2020

Australia commits $132m to new RMF Netherlands launches packaging waste
he Government of Australia has announced a campaign with manufacturers
TA$190m ($132m) commitment to a new Recycling
he Government of Netherlands has launched a new
Modernisation Fund (RMF).It is intended to boost
Tcampaign along with manufacturers to fight
recycling in the country and transform the waste
packaging waste. Environment State Secretary Van
Veldhoven has informed about the campaign to the
House of Representatives. The campaign is launched
with the aim of cutting down packaging usage and
encouraging re-use. Additionally, it seeks to improve
the collection and recycling processes. Van Veldhoven
said: “Recycling is good, re-use is even better. From an
international perspective, the Dutch packaging sector
ranks among the leaders in the more efficient use of
materials and cutting down of CO2 emissions. “This
deserves a compliment. Together we are working
towards a clean, green future.” In addition to
implementing the European regulations, Van Veldhoven
has established
agreements with
the packaging
sector relating
to recycling and
re-use of glass,
industry. The RMF is intended to support new recycling plastics, paper
infrastructure to categorise, process and reuse
commonly discarded materials such as plastic, paper, a n d c a r t o n s ,
tyres and glass. The fund is expected to generate A m e t a l , a n d
$600m ($417m) of recycling investment, more than w o o d . U n d e r
10,000 jobs, and divert over 10 million tonnes of waste. t h e s e
Australia Environment Minister Sussan Ley said: “As we agreements, the
cease shipping our waste overseas, the waste and Netherlands is
recycling transformation will reshape our domestic t a r g e t i n g t o
waste industry, driving job creation and putting make 74% of all
valuable materials back into the economy. “Australians p a c k a g i n g
need to have faith that the items they place in their
kerbside recycling bins will be re-used in roads, carpet, m a t e r i a l s
recycled and/or
building materials and a range of other essential items.
“As we pursue National Waste Policy Action Plan re-used. The
targets, we need manufacturers and industry to take a country is set to achieve the EU recycling goal of 70% for
genuine stewardship role that helps create a all packaging combined by 2021, which is way ahead
sustainable circular economy. “This is a once in a compared to EU's target of 2030.Van Veldhoven added:
generation opportunity to remodel waste “We are making good progress in the Netherlands, but
management, reduce pressure on our environment, our aim is for all packaging to be recycled, and we want
and create economic opportunity.” In December last
to encourage manufacturers to convert to re-use. With
year, the Government of Australia launched a A$100m
($68.6m) fund as part of the A$167m ($114.6m) these circular targets, we are taking a substantial step
investment plan. It is aimed at increasing recycling in the right direction, towards a clean, green circular
rates in the country, as well as cutting plastic and food economy. We are trying to persuade companies to use
waste by 50% by 2030. Every year Australians generate less virgin (new) plastic and more recycled material, for
approximately 67 million metric tons of trash, and that example by inviting them to join the Plastic Pact.”
amount has only been growing, officials said.

July 2020 34 Plastics News