Industry organisation Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE, Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsrecyclers.eu) and Deloitte France (Neuilly-sur-Seine; www.deloitte.fr) have published a new study that shows, although the plastics value chain is diverse and complex, a 65% recycling rate target for plastics packaging is attainable by 2025. The study determines a set of measures that will result in achieving this target, such as better recycling designs and improving the quality of packaging waste sorting across the EU.

These steps would increase the recyclability of plastics packaging as well as reduce sorting and recycling costs. They should also result in higher-quality recyclate, and raise consumers’ confidence in recycled products. PRE states that its recommended measures are to be complemented with strong communication across the plastics value chain, and with a legislative push enabling higher uptake of recycled materials.

The report highlights environmental, societal and economic benefits of increased recycling rates. Substituting virgin plastics with recyclate is estimated to save about 80% of CO₂ emissions, create 115,400 jobs and an additional EUR 1 bn in economic benefits.

e-Service:
Deloitte's "Blueprint for plastics packaging waste: Quality sorting & recycling" (2017) as a PDF file