11-04-2022. . The recovery rate for rigid plastics in 2022 (69%) is far higher than the recycling target for 2024-25 (50%). We develop and promote the idea of a circular economy, and work with business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. Facebook, Follow us on Instead, theyre required to offer disposable tubs or bags, meaning many bulk-food systems arent actually advancing a circular economy. It was great.. In the so-called linear economy, products fly off the shelves wrapped in cheap plastic and paper that companies dont have to keep track of. Lab-grown meat is now approved for sale in the US. By sending bulk shipments from Europe to China to be re-palletized and shipped to the Asian compounders, we saved 690 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The concept works for a wide range of products, particularly those that can be dehydrated into tablet or powder form: toothpaste, mouthwash, dishwasher detergent. Importantly, there continue to be challenges with incorporating post-consumer recycled content into packs, as it presents different issues to virgin material, especially in maintaining the aesthetic and functional qualities of a pack design. First of all, shoppers have to actually remember to bring their reusable bags and containers its not refill on the go if you use those paper or plastic baggies that most stores offer in the bulk section. People really, really want to bring their own containers but theyre getting mixed messages, said Heather Trim, executive director of the nonprofit Zero Waste Washington. Sodastream, for example which was acquired by PepsiCo in 2018 sells a machine that lets customers make their own carbonated water, which can then be turned into a sort of DIY root beer or cola with the addition of some concentrated flavor droplets. In einer Welt mit wachsenden Herausforderungen und Risiken ist die Circular Economy (CE) ein wegweisendes Konzept fr das 21. It offers a root cause solution to plastic pollution with profound economic, environmental, and societal benefits. Plastics recycling, greenwashing, and deceptive lobbying raise additional concerns. The business owners Grist spoke with were evasive when asked whether customers ever forgot to return their packages, but none seemed overly concerned about losing their inventory. Many consumers also find it exciting to compare the per-pound prices of packaged versus bulk goods, and to save money on in-store grocery refills. If you liked this article, you might also enjoy: The Lidl approach to packaging sustainability. The panellists agreed that a collective push is necessary to address market challenges and accelerate progress. Circulate all the plastic items we use to keep them in the economy and out of the environment, Explore the vision for a circular economy for plastic. It offers a root cause solution to plastic pollution with profound economic, environmental, and societal benefits. This part of the supply chain has been optimized to death for 60 years. Grist is powered by WordPress VIP. Their vision will require whole new business models and supply chains that prioritize reuse containers and dishware and shipping . Nearly 80 percent of voters want a return-on-the-go reuse system for their community. The Upstream Innovation guide tells how to harness the power of upstream innovation as a root-cause +100 leading businesses call for EPR for packaging. The personal care and beauty industry produces more than 120 billion pieces of packaging every year globally, and as awareness grows, cosmetics brands are increasingly looking to improve the sustainability of their products, especially packaging, which accounts for 70% of the industrys waste. EMFs own voluntary initiative for companies to cut back on single-use plastic the Global Commitment showed in its most recent annual report that its members have made almost zero progress in reducing virgin plastics use since 2018 and will almost certainly miss 2025 targets for scaling up reusable, recyclable, and compostable packaging. Most plastics arent truly recyclable, and a growing body of research shows that plastics recycling can harm low-income communities of color and keep thousands of hazardous chemicals in circulation, but the industry still promotes plastics recycling as part of a circular economy. By decoding the material, scientists can figure out the possible recycling methods for plastics that are non-biodegradable, said Sameer Chikhli, scientist, NCL Pune. Our five main pathways to decarbonization are Reliability; Energy Efficiency and Improvements; Renewable Energy; Electrification; Carbon Capture; and Green/blue Hydrogen. While waste pickers belong to the informal (plastic) sector, they are playing a major role in the circular economy of plastic. Our TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services play a significant part in achieving our vision and closing the loop on used plastic. While refill on the go is relatively straightforward for nonedible goods like soap and shampoo, public health departments in many places bar stores from letting people use their own containers for food. With a population of around 9 billion living on our planet by 2050, industries will be seeking solutions for sustainable materials and innovative techniques to enable goods and services, while contributing to the smart use of global resources based on circular-economy principles. (Bold Reuse handled the cleaning.) By setting and striving for more ambitious recycling targets, the organisations believe that companies can drive the circularity agenda forward and increase the availability of recycled materials in the market. ", In Japan, Mitsutaka Matsumoto, Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), notes a shift in the perception of the Circular Economy: "The primary means of promoting the circular economy has been recycling, but in recent years the focus is extending to the value retention processes such as reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing. It tackles the root causes of global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, while creating opportunities for better growth. Converting the packaging to renewable plastic not only has the advantage of conserving fossil resources, but also reduces CO2 emissions. Plastics Pact Network The Plastics Pact is a network of local and regional (cross-border) initiatives which brings together key stakeholders to implement solutions towards a circular economy for plastic. ", In an economic setting increasingly characterised by climate crisis, biodiversity loss, geopolitical risks and shocks in value chains, the Circular Economy has become a key building block for sustainable development. A self-described serial entrepreneur, she ended a self-imposed break from starting new businesses to co-found Blueland in 2019. The institute has successfully experimented with a few products including auto parts, and plant pots made using recycling nonwoven plastic material. The vision for a circular economy for plastic packaging has 6 key points described in this video. Our vision for a circular economy for plastics is available in: English. While discussing the complexities of transitioning to a circular economy, the panel proposed that five crucial steps and four enablers were required to move forward: 1. According to these guidelines, producers, importers and brand owners (PIBOs) have to register through the online, centralised portal developed by the CPCB. In the Circularity research project, scientists from five countries are working together on these challenges since June 2023 in order to develop specific advice for a successful implementation of the Circular Economy. In order to do that, the EU created a strategy for plastics in a circular economy that lays the foundations for a new plastics economy. Yoo said the bottles are intended to be the last set of cleaning containers her customers ever buy: No more disposable plastic, no more pollution, no more hazardous tap water. models are applied where relevant, reducing the need for single-use packaging. The EU's transition to a circular economy will . In the cosmetics space, SABIC, the Estee Lauder companies and Origins are collaborating towards apremium brand packaging tube made with certified circular polyolefins. Description. Graham Holder from CEFLEX - a European consortium of companies and associations representing the entire value chain of flexible packaging that focuses on enhancing the performance of the format in the circular economy - highlighted the importance of projecting a positive message to showcase how the industry can contribute to sustainability and climate change objectives. This approach is not only vital to stop plastic pollution, it also offers strong economic, social, and climate benefits. By aligning regulatory frameworks, it is hoped that the industry can navigate requirements and constraints more effectively and drive the adoption of sustainable practices. For in-store refills to catch on more widely, Gordon said shed like to see stores offer their own reusable containers, which customers could borrow and return later. Creating a Circular Economy for Plastics Thinking This is the third in a six-part series that explores five focus areas for businesses to address in plastic strategies, accelerate change and pursue the necessary scale of innovation and collaboration to address the plastics challenge. Linked to this is the need to simplify packaging to improve recyclability and that common use of clear (versus coloured) mono-material packaging would increase the availability of high-quality post-consumer recyclate. Legislation sets the rules and ensures that all competitors are working under the same legal requirements towards sustainability. Grist is the only award-winning newsroom focused on exploring equitable solutions to climate change. Recently, we teamed up with Stella McCartney Beauty and three French plastic converters, Texen, Leygatech, and STTP Emballage, to develop refillable skin and eye care containers. The panel discussion emphasised the need to shift public perception of the plastics industry, which has been under heightened pressure in recent years to improve its environmental performance. Shah said, Just like the GST portal, the CPCB has developed a very effective portal for EPR. Ellen MacArthur Foundation 49.7K subscribers Subscribe 118K views 2 years ago #circulareconomy Find out more here: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.. Plastics are versatile materials, but the. Veolia, in fact, is seizing the business opportunity a circular economy offers, and plans to boost revenue from plastic processing fivefold from 2016 levels, to reach $1.08 billion, by 2025. To tackle the "plastic crisis", the concept of circular economy has attracted considerable attention over the past years, both by practitioners and scholars alike. 1 The New Plastics Economy is a vision of a circular economy for plastic, where plastic never becomes waste. Our aim is to become fully circular. . The work of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is supported by our Strategic Partners and Partners. The New Plastics Economy is a vision of a circular economy for plastic, where plastic never becomes waste. The informal recycling sector is already recycling a substantial portion of the expected recycling under EPR. Some companies, like Blueland, are making plastic-free refills for soap available through the mail so customers can fill up their own empty containers. Yoo began connecting the dots, tracing those microplastics tiny shards of plastic that form from the breakdown of larger plastic items back to their source. We need to put our best foot forward and explain just how good we are at helping the world to achieve its climate change objectives, he stated. At the heart of the New Plastics Economy initiative is a vision of a circular economycircular economy A systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. A better understanding of the market to anticipate the materials that would be returned for recycling, enabling improved forecasting and planning of infrastructure investment, 2. Shah tied-up with an authorised recycling centre in Pune for recycling 120 tonnes of flexible packaging plastic on his behalf, and submitted the certificate obtained for the same to the CPCB Plastic EPR portal. It is time to overcome the linear mindset and close loops around the world. In 2019, researchers in Australia estimated that we ingest a credit cards worth of microplastics every week, with unknown health effects. June 29, 2023, Source: Fraunhofer-GesellschaftFraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI - A Global Vision of the Future: The Circular Economy and its Importance in Different Countries, Online in Internet; URL: https://www.isi.fraunhofer.de/en/blog/2023/circular-economy-kreislaufwirtschaft-zukunftsvision-bedeutung-verschiedene-laender.html. Within this strategy, the production of . In 2020, we collaborated with Beiersdorf to implement more sustainable cosmetics packaging using certified renewable polypropylene. The panellists shared their views on the challenges and opportunities in achieving a circular economy for plastic packaging. The Circular Economy is becoming increasingly important worldwide as a tool for the sustainable safeguarding of livelihoods and economic systems. In the beverage sector, Coca-Cola and Pepsi announced targets last year to sell 25 and 20 percent of their beverages globally through reusable systems, respectively. Instead, we rely on our readers topitch in what they can so that we can continue bringing you our solution-based climate news. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. The European Commission adopted the new circular economy action plan (CEAP) in March 2020. Legislation clearly plays a vital role in setting standards and ensuring a level playing field for all competitors. These initiatives are all part of SABICs ambition to deliver one million metric tons of TRUCIRCLE, circular solutions annually by 2030. A circular economy looks beyond the current take-make-waste model and aims to redefine growth by focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It is a concept that combines economic development with the most efficient use of natural resources, including reusing, reducing, and recycling. Theyre staying anyway. Accelerating the circular economy: WBCSD releases updated circularity metrics to measure climate and nature impact. Returnables can also be a money-saver, since they free companies from endlessly recurring purchases of single-use packaging. We are seeing positive changes and we will see a better impact on plastic waste management in the coming three to four years in Pune as well as in Maharashtra., Waste pickers playing major role in circular economy. At Grist, we dont believe in paywalls. The panel then argued that these five steps must be underpinned by four key enablers: Design, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Legislation, and Collaboration. By working together, it is hoped that stakeholders could create a more efficient and effective system for plastic packaging recycling that works for all parties. But returning products back to where they started is virtually a virgin land today.. This will help the uptake of recycled material in the market, but the use of recycled content should not be limited to similar products but expanded to other applications to meet demand and further reduce carbon footprints. Although returnable packaging systems are still geographically limited theyre usually only available to those living in major cities consumers who have access to them report big benefits. SABIC has creating a dedicated ESG group, which is governed by the SABIC executive across verticals, and is enhancing our ESG performance as well addressing the new ESG framework and regulations evolving across jurisdictions. This requires further education of key stakeholders, including consumers, about the realities of using recycled materials and promoting acceptance of the differences as a sign of sustainability. . through reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing or recycling. This has meant that the demand for recyclate is shifting from being price-driven to sustainability-driven. The brand Bevi brings this concept to office spaces, dispensing customizable drinks from a contraption that looks kind of like a high-tech espresso machine. Moreover, brand owners can use the certification to highlight the sustainable material content of their products, offering consumers a more responsible choice. All plastic packaging is 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Minal Shah a Pune-based flexible packaging plastic manufacturer and joint secretary, Maharashtra Plastic Manufacturers Association is a case in point. However, the industry is exploring other options too for recycling, for which it is seeking help from scientists. We asked our project partners about the perception and relevance of the circular economy in their countries. European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform - A joint initiative by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee. For SABIC, this means that for each ton of renewable or circular feedstock fed into the production process to substitute fossil-based feedstock, approximately one ton of the output material can be classified as either renewable or circular. From Waste to Commodity: Delivering on the EU's vision of a circular plastics economy A new report shows that establishing systems that enable collecting, sorting, and recycling multiple types of plastic is essential to meeting the European Union's circularity goals. He adds, "The ongoing strategies in Taiwan include improving the waste management system for a community with zero waste, advancing innovative green technologies for an effective recycling system, and developing industrial symbiosis for resource sharing and synergy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Starbucks says it wants to implement the program in all its Europe, Middle East, and Africa locations by 2025. These circular polymers are then used in packaging solutions for a variety of consumer products currently available in the market. Donate today tohelp keep Grists site and newsletters free. How did Brazil achieve its 100% aluminium can recycling rate and can it be replicated in the EU? Since 2020, SABICs certified circular polypropylene has been used in ice cream tubs from Unilevers A-brand ice cream brand, Magnum, the first to use recycled plastic in the ice cream industry. The vision in which plastic does not end up in landfills or ocean by recycled requires a total transformation of the value chain. SABIC has been a pioneer in the industry since we announced our plan to build a world-first commercial unit to produce certified circular polymers from the advanced recycling of used plastics. In 2001 the International Society for Industrial Ecology (ISIE) was founded. Design focuses on creating products that are easy to recycle and fit within the circular economy. Or rather, their many, many sources. Other reports documented the ballooning impact of plastic pollution on marine life, as well as plastic productions growing carbon footprint and disproportionate harms against poor communities of color. The circular economy is a framework that sets into a relationship different ways of value creation and conservation, e.g. Bayern Munich to play Werder Bremen in Bundesliga season opener, National Doctor's Day 2023: Lifestyle changes every doctor must embrace for their heart health, Captain Miller first look: Dhanush is the lone survivor in a battlefield full of dead soldiers, Russias Putin briefs PM Modi on rebellion by Wagner group, Ukraine situation, Alan Arkin, Academy Award-winning actor, dies at 89, YouTube to halt video playback for people using Ad Blockers: Report, How much is Prince Harry seeking in damages amid hacking lawsuit? And because refills are ordered online and delivered straight to peoples doorsteps, the system is labeled refill at home.. This site uses cookies. Miriam Gordon, a strategist for the nonprofit Story of Stuff Project, which advocates for policies to reduce plastic pollution, shops at a co-op grocery store in San Francisco that carries many of its products in bulk. Gordon, with the Story of Stuff Project, said the return-from-home systems shes participated in have been super convenient. One company, Dispatch Goods, drew her in when she learned in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic that it was partnering with local Bay Area restaurants to offer takeout meals in returnable containers. It sounds like a lot of work, but there are reasons beyond good PR for companies to embrace returnable packaging. EPR plays a significant role by funding parts of the system, thereby making it economically sustainable. 5 For a business, a circular economy approach implies adopting a systemic vision of energy and raw material flows that must be closed, either internally or with the help of partners. Twitter, Follow us on Bottles, for example, are more straightforward to recycle than trays due to their simpler design. One beacon of hope: Americans across the political spectrum support policies to address plastic pollution, including by replacing single-use plastic with alternatives. Model of a Circular Economy Welcome to packagingeurope.com. The recovery rate for rigid plastics in 2022 (69%) is far higher than the recycling target for 2024-25 (50%). Instead, we rely on our readers topitch in what they can so that we can continue bringing you our solution-based climate news. Driving consumer understanding of the aesthetics of recycled content and its connection to sustainability will be fundamental to driving a circular economy for PET. Ellen MacArthur Foundation ANBI RSIN nummer: 8257 45 925. In this return-from-home model, customers pay a small deposit, usually between $1 to $3, that gets refunded after a Walmart employee picks up the empty containers from peoples homes. Implementing a circular economy can be one solution for Taiwan." This story has been updated to clarify that Aimee Simpson no longer works at PCC. This Circular Economy Roadmap for Plastics in India, prepared by The Energy and Resources Institute with support from the Children's . In a world with growing challenges and risks, the Circular Economy (CE) is a groundbreaking concept for the 21st century. consumers, retailers, recyclers), and are accelerating the scale-up of high-quality processes for the advanced recycling of used and mixed plastic waste to manufacture certified circular polymers that are akin to virgin polymers. It was acknowledged that there is an increasing focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions among companies and that using recycled content significantly contributes to this goal. All this takes extra time and forethought that most shoppers arent accustomed to. More ambitious recycling goals should be established. Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Sustainability and Infrastructure Systems, Transformation and Innovation Systems for urban areas, Transformation to a new added value paradigm, recently launched research project Circularity, The Circular Economy and its Importance in Different Countries. It was also agreed that there is a key need for packers and retailers to be involved, being a key part of the PET value chain. Advocates for reusables nationwide say theres a labyrinth of bulk-food safety regulations that may or may not be enforced, confusing customers from state to state and from store to store. Bayern Munich to play Werder Bremen in Bundesliga season opener, National Doctor's Day 2023: Lifestyle changes every doctor must embrace for their heart health, Captain Miller first look: Dhanush is the lone survivor in a battlefield full of dead soldiers, Russias Putin briefs PM Modi on rebellion by Wagner group, Ukraine situation, Alan Arkin, Academy Award-winning actor, dies at 89, YouTube to halt video playback for people using Ad Blockers: Report, How much is Prince Harry seeking in damages amid hacking lawsuit? They argued that replacing plastics with other materials often results in higher environmental impacts and carbon footprints. Theres only so much that voluntary initiatives can do, said Mark Buckley, strategic design manager for EMF. A UN treaty based on legally-binding global rules and comprehensive circular economy measures is a unique opportunity to accelerate systems change and end plastic pollution. Just think of the now-ubiquitous water-bottle-refilling station, or reusable shopping bags that you bring to the supermarket. SABIC also came together with REN Clean Skincare where they wanted to implement a circular solution that can provide a transparent look and feel while also supporting the complex assembly of parts requiring tight tolerances, such as for airless packaging systems. It stands for a comprehensive vision of sustainable production and consumption that counters the mentality of "take-use-throw away" with a circular perspective. We develop and promote the idea of a circular economy, and work with business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. With companies like Blueland, the customer owns the container potentially one sold by Blueland for $8 to $11 (although, for many products, any old container will do). Towards a Circular PET future. That may be because many such programs involve inexpensive reusable polypropylene containers, which are less wasteful than single-use but are still made of plastic. Up to, Duleep Trophy: North Zone move closer to victory with command performance, Grabbing land was main source of income for Atiqs gang: Police. The broader movement seeks to reduce plastic production, an urgent priority considering petrochemical companies plans to triple the amount of plastic they make by 2060. Initially, European plants sent feedstock directly. The hour-long discussion revolved around the key needs of industry collaboration, brand owner involvement, improved plastics industry public perception, ambitious recycling goals, and the impact of legislative constraints and the inevitable changes needed for a sustainable future. Barriers to Circular Economy. PLASTICS: A VISION FOR A CIRCULAR ECONOMY 2 We are at a juncture in our history where society's relationship with plastics is evolving. The work of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is supported by our Strategic Partners and Partners. EMF has broken down the reuse market into four models defined by who owns the packaging and where it gets refilled. Specifically, it was the switch to baby formula that changed her worldview. In 2021, we achieved 10% reduction of our carbon emissions (compared to 2018), which signals a good first step towards achieving our target. Instagram, Follow us on There were no good options. 1999-2023 Grist Magazine, Inc. All rights reserved. The .css-63febw .e716bcn3:hover+.e716bcn2{visibility:visible;}.css-1r0g86b{cursor:help;}circular economy.css-iq7jxc{background-color:#f2f2f2;box-shadow:0px 12px 16px -4px rgba(16, 24, 40, 0.08),0px 4px 6px -2px rgba(16, 24, 40, 0.03);border-radius:8px;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;padding:12px;gap:4px;position:absolute;left:0px;top:25px;z-index:99999;width:auto;max-width:320px;visibility:hidden;cursor:help;-webkit-transition:visibility ease-out 0.1s;transition:visibility ease-out 0.1s;}.css-iq7jxc:hover{visibility:visible;}.css-iq7jxc .tooltip-label,.css-iq7jxc .tooltip-definition,.css-iq7jxc .tooltip-link{font-size:12px;line-height:16px;letter-spacing:0.0015em;}.css-iq7jxc .tooltip-label{font-weight:bold;text-transform:capitalize;}.css-iq7jxc .tooltip-definition{font-weight:normal;}.css-iq7jxc .tooltip-link-label{font-family:'Arial',sans-serif;}.css-iq7jxc dfn{font-style:normal;}circular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. SABICs certified renewable and certified circular materials are certified under the ISCC PLUS scheme that uses a mass balance accounting system to trace the material flow across complex supply chains from the feedstock to final products. In addition, the organisations argued that the need for multi-layer trays and flexible packaging to meet product protection and shelf-life needs often means the pack design becomes complex comprising different materials and components, such as foils, seals and labels, that can hinder recyclability. Aida Cierco, group sustainability senior manager at kp, pointed out the need for better reporting guidelines on the circular economy for increased transparency and that the use of the same methodologies across companies would avoid unnecessary complexity.
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a vision of a circular economy for plastic
