Page 51 - Plastics News March 2025
P. 51
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
gel from EMPA (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Finally, the RED MARFIL project held a roundta-
Materials Science and Technology) then dis- ble discussion with José Miguel Fernández from
cussed the climate impact of wood-derived bi- AITIIP, Lucia Martín from CIDAUT and Carolina
opolymers compared to fossil-based plastics, Acosta, Senior Researcher in Mechanochemistry
examining life cycle analysis, carbon emissions and Reactive Extrusion at AIMPLAS. Their pres-
and sustainability, and how these materials can entations showed the progress made in a pro-
reduce environmental impacts and serve as via- ject aimed at developing new bioplastics from
ble alternatives in the transition to a circular, low- agro-industrial or biomass waste to increase
carbon economy. Finally, Ailen Soto of ZERO-E their presence in high value-added sectors such
ENGINEERING presented a life cycle assessment as agriculture and transport.
(LCA) methodology for products and processes Source – Recycling Magazine
that support a sustainable bioeconomy.
Consumers want UK retailers and Brands to do
more to reduce plastic packaging
gest that consumers are happy to vote with
their feet. Over the next 12 months, 56% of those
surveyed said they will try to buy more products
that do not use single-use plastic packaging,
such as polyethylene bags and difficult to recy-
cle packaging like crisp packets and chocolate
wrappers. They are prepared to take even more
extreme steps over the next three years, with
46% saying they will stop buying products that
he findings show that British shoppers use single-use packaging and difficult to recycle
want to see retailers take positive steps packaging altogether.
Tto reduce the impact of the packaging
they use on the environment: For retailers and brands facing environmental
challenges throughout the supply chain, they
♦ 59% said they wanted to see the conven- should take heart from the fact that almost one
tional plastic used in packaging replaced third (32%) of consumers said that they would
with an alternative material which can be re- be prepared to pay more for packaging which is
cycled and doesn’t harm the environment.
100% recyclable when they buy products such
♦ 57% said they should use more paper-based as dry foods and snacks. Of these, 43% said they
packaging, which can go into kerbside recy- would pay 5% more. Some 30% said they would
cling collections. pay more for clothing and accessories packaged
in recyclable material, with 41% of these saying
♦ 49% said that they should stop using tradi- that would be happy to pay 5% more.
tional single-use plastic completely.
Source – Recycling Magazine
If such changes are not made, the findings sug-
March 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 51
