European Plastics System Needs Thorough Revamp, Says New Report

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Munich, Germany-based environmental consultant SYSTEMIQ has published a new report, which calls for significant change within the European plastics system within five years to meet long-term circularity and net zero emissions goals.

The report titled “ReShaping Plastics – Pathways to a Circular, Climate Neutral Plastics System in Europe” noted that a redesigned plastics system must address circularity and carbon emissions simultaneously, for which both upstream and downstream measures are needed. Recycling alone will not be sufficient. The current adaptations are too slow to align with agreed climate goals and circularity policies. A collaborative and systematic approach is urgently required needed across all stakeholders, it said.

As per report findings, the current industry and policy actions could more than double system circularity from 14% to 30% by 2030, which essentially means reduction of 11 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions and diversion of approximately 4.7 million tonnes of plastic waste from being disposed in landfills or incinerated.

The report says that the next three to five years are a critical window for action. Multiple technological measures and approaches need to be developed and deployed so as to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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