Page 31 - Plastics News March 2021

internAtionAL news

Coalition of packaging Hong Kong’s EPD launches

manufacturers forms in US public consultation on PPRS

new coalition has been he Hong Kong Government’s Environmental
A f o r m ed by m aj o r TProtection Department (EPD) has launched a public
manufacturers of lubricant and consultation on the Producer Responsibility Scheme
plastic packaging to promote on Plastic Beverage Containers (PPRS). Scheduled
the circular economy of plastic to conclude on 21 May, the consultation will help
lubricant containers in the with the proper and effective management of waste
US. The coalition will work on plastic beverage containers. According to EPD, waste
developing a market-sustaining plastics constitute approximately 20% of its municipal
programme to recover and solid waste disposal. In 2019, 1.55 billion beverages in
recycle plastic packaging used plastic containers were disposed of.The programme
for transporting lubricants. seeks to ensure that relevant stakeholders will have
The NLCRC will initially focus a share in contributing to the proper and effective
on designing and starting pilot projects studying ways treatment of used plastic beverage containers.An
to collect, aggregate and process post-consumer plastic EPD spokesman said: “The government has recently
announced the Waste Blueprint for Hong Kong 2035.
lubricant containers. It will also help in the development With the vision of ‘Waste Reduction,Resources
of long-term sustainable market-driven solutions in the Circulation,Zero Landfill’, the blueprint sets out the
plastic lubricant container value chain. NLCRC director strategies, goals and measures to tackle the challenge
Tristan Steichen said: “The NLCRC represents a compelling of waste management up to 2035 and promote a
opportunity to develop a true market-level circular circular economy and green living environment. “As
business model that relies on the collaboration of all one of the key waste reduction measures, the proposed
stakeholders within the value chain. “This coalition could PPRS requires the relevant stakeholders to jointly share
not have been established without the demonstrated the environmental responsibilities of collecting and
leadership of its founding members, and we look forward
to the successful transformation of this market.”
Addressing a challenge as complex as recovering post-
consumer plastic packaging for recycling is not feasible for
most individual companies, particularly when products are
distributed throughout multiple regions and markets. Cost-
effective solutions require collaboration with multiple
stakeholders (including competitors), both upstream and
downstream of the lubricant value chain. The NLCRC seeks
to combine all companies that manufacture, manage,
distribute and recycle lubricants and plastic packaging
to create systemic, collaborative solutions for post-
consumer recovery and recycling. Interested organisations
are invited to join the initiative. Established in 2021 by
a committed consortium of lubricant manufacturers and treating plastic beverage containers to minimise their
associated plastic packaging manufacturers, the National impact on the environment. “This is also conducive
Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition or “NLCRC” is an to the development of the local circular economy.
industry-led technical coalition focused on establishing Plastic beverage containers are usually made up of
mono-material, which is relatively easy to handle and
solutions for post-consumer recovery and recycling of has a higher recycling value. If properly separated at
plastic lubricant containers. NLCRC members include source for collection and treatment, such material
Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil - Quaker State Company, can be turned into useful resources more effectively.”
Graham Packaging, Plastipak Packaging.

31 March 2021 Plastics News