Brussels, 9 September 2021
European plastics producers call for a mandatory EU recycled content target for plastics packaging of 30% by 2030
An enabling policy framework and collaboration with the value chain are essential to reach target.
PlasticsEurope endorses the objective of preventing and reducing excessive packaging and packaging waste. We welcome the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), EU legislation that is key to the transition to a circular economy for plastics. European plastics producers support the European Commission’s proposal for a mandatory EU recycled content1 target for plastics packaging, and are today calling for a target of 30% for plastics packaging by 2030.
PlasticsEurope members are already working towards this target by investing billions of Euros in increased high-quality supply of recycled plastics and leading-edge technology solutions. Ramping up chemical recycling is essential to achieve such a mandatory target. For example, our members’ planned investments in this vital technology and infrastructure range from 2.6 billion Euros by 2025 to 7.2 billion Euros by 2030 in Europe.
Dr Markus Steilemann, President of PlasticsEurope and CEO of Covestro, stated: “The world must embrace the circular economy concept as the key to climate neutrality, resource conservation and environmental protection. The call for a regulated recycled content target for plastics packaging in the EU demonstrates our commitment to accelerate the transformation to a circular economy, helping implement the EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.”
To successfully meet this target, we need new systems thinking, mind set and behavioural changes, higher performing products, eco-design innovation, new infrastructure, amongst others. We must also ensure recycled content is derived from all “waste materials” through a technology-neutral approach that includes both mechanical and chemical recycling, with a credible mass balance2 framework.
Virginia Janssens, Managing Director of PlasticsEurope, commented: “We need a harmonised EU policy framework that provides certainty and incentivises further investment in collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure and technologies, including chemical recycling. We must harness the power of the single market. However, systemic change requires concerted collaboration. It is only by working together with the EU institutions and the value chain that we can deliver on this target. With the right enabling conditions in place this will be a very different industry 10 years from now.”
The European Commission’s Circular Plastics Alliance is a prime example of the type of concerted collaboration that is necessary. The alliance, in which PlasticsEurope plays a leading role, brings together over 290 value chain members striving towards the delivery of 10 million tonnes of recycled content in products by 2025.
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2 A set of rules that enables traceability between feedstock input and product output, and along the value chain to the producer of a final article
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Press Contact
PlasticsEurope AISBL
Camelia Vasile
Media Relations Manager
Mobile: +32 490 576 067
camelia.vasile@plasticseurope.org
Editors’ note
PlasticsEurope is the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers with offices across Europe. For over 100 years, science and innovation has been the DNA that cuts across our industry. With close to 100 members producing over 90% of all polymers across Europe, we are the catalyst for the industry with a responsibility to openly engage with stakeholders and deliver solutions which are safe, circular and sustainable. We are committed to implementing long-lasting positive change.