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Circular Economy: Plastics Werner Bosmans DG Environment Rotterdam, 18 May 2017
Circular Economy:Plastics
Werner Bosmans
DG Environment Rotterdam, 18 May 2017
Global plastic production
1200 million t
20502014
15 million t
314 million t
More plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050 ?
Production
Waste Management
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Global challenge
A new Europeanplastic industry
Objectives
• Decouple plastic production from virgin fossil fuel
• Exploit the full potential of plastic reuse, recycling
and uptake of recyclates
• Reduce plastic leakage in the environment
1. Decoupling from fossil feedstock
> 90% from virgin material
Raw material is cheap
By 2050:
15% of global GHG
Options
Alternative feedstock: mechanical & chemical recycling,biomass, CO2?
Conduct a LCA of the use of alternative feedstock
Innovation and research
• 25 mln T of plastic waste (2014, EU)
o 30% recycled
o 39% incinerated
o 31% landfilled
• Plastic packaging: 40%
2. Increasing reuse and recycling
=> too valuable to be burnt or landfilled
Options
• DESIGN for durability & recyclability
Study: reuse, recycling & marine litter
Product policies (GPP), EPR
? The role of consumers & marketing ?
• REUSE => fostering other business models
• Hazardous substances?
Interface waste, chemicals & product policy
Traceability
• Funding
R&D for (design of) reuse, sorting & recycling
Options (2)
• Legislation and incentives to support
o Better implementation by MS of existing waste legislation
to improve collection, sorting & recycling
Proposal waste legislation:
Separate collection of plastics,
Targets for recycling packaging: 55% in 2025
EPR – fee modulation
Options (3)
• Promote market for stable and safe supply of
high-quality recyclates
Standards: recycled plastics (quality)
& recycled content
Support industrial fora & platforms
Product policies, e.g. GPP
3. Leakage into the environment
• 5-13 mln T of plastic wasteend up in the oceans
• Cheap and disposable material:
single-use plastic products
• Microplastics (<5 mm) =threat to animal & human health
Options
• Marine litter: aspirational 30% reduction target in CEAP / SDGs
Monitoring and measures
Action on single use plastics – substitution?
• Reduce microplastics
Two studies on microplastics
1. Intentionally added to products (by Aug.)
2. Generated during the life cycle of products (by Nov.)
Options (2)
• Sustainability criteria for biodegradable plastics
Study: develop EU-harmonised criteria / standards for
biodegradability (composting) where appropriate
Assessing the use of
oxo-degradable plastics
• Clean up the oceans
• Consumers' awareness
Imagining the plastics of the future:
Linear plastic is out - Circular is IN
A global challenge with a business case for Europe
Key role for innovation and investment
If Europe can do this right, the world will follow us
Publication of Plastics Strategy by end 2017
