19 November 2019

WHAT IS THE 2030 EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR PLASTICS?

WHAT IS THE 2030 EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR PLASTICS?

If you are wondering what is the new European strategy for plastics and how it will affect your company, keep reading because this interests you.


Why is there a new European strategy for plastics?

According to the European Commission we produce 58 million tonnes of plastic every year. This is a scary and huge amount of plastic. And the worst thing is that 40% of this plastic waste is from packaging. But not only this, according to Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the majority of plastic package is one use, therefore, the economy loses 95% of its value. If we don’t recycle, we lose between 70 and 105 million euros per year.
Yes, we need to start realizing and facing that our sector is the first that has to improve its way of producing.


Which is the new European strategy for plastics in 2030?

In this context, the European Commission has decided that in this climate emergency state it is necessary to develop a plan to improve the use of plastic. These are the 3 points that affect you:

In 2030...

  1. All packaging will have to be recyclable or reusable
  2. We will have to recycle more than 50% of the plastic waste
  3. We will have to multiply x4 our recycling selection capacity in comparison with 2015.

What will we have to improve?

We have to build together a new smart, innovative and sustainable packaging ecosystem based on collaboration. The basic changes have to be about:

  1. A more integrated chain value
  2. Innovation in materials that permit a longer life to packaging
  3. More sustainable consumer habits 
  4. Better product design: creating better products can facilitate its recycling and save up to 77-120 euros per tonne (Ellen McArthur) this also benefits the emission of CO2: recycling 1 million tonnes of plastic equals 1 million cars off the road.
  5. Avoid that plastic waste ends in the environment (ocean or land)
  6. Invest in innovation to transform the value chain of plastic. European companies have to invest in their future and consolidate their adaptation to these new sustainable strategies.
  7. Create a clear regulatory framework about the use of biodegradable and compostable plastics.
  8. Study and name the contamination of micro plastics in the ocean.

Font: European Commission



Did you know that Just 10 rivers carry 90% of plastic polluting the oceans?

According to research published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology: two of them are in Africa - the Nile and the Niger - while the others are in Asia: the Indus, Ganges, Amur, Mekong, Pearl, Hai he, Yellow and Yangtze. The Thames puts 18 tonnes of plastic into the ocean.

Plastic contamination is a global concern and, therefore, the solution also involves everyone.


Font: The Yellow in Asia by Sky- news

3D Configurator for eCommerce