Recycling rates for plastic packaging on the rise

According to the Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e. V. (IK), the recycling rates for plastic packaging have increased significantly. This is shown by the recycling rates now available for 2019.

Almost two years after the Packaging Act came into force, the recycling rates for 2019 are available. Rising trend: according to a Study by the GVM Society for Packaging Market Research commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency, BKV GmbH, Duale Systeme and waste management companies, associations and companies from various material fractions, the trend in the recycling of plastic packaging is positive.

According to this, the recycling of plastic packaging in 2019 by 8.1 percentage points compared to the previous year increased. In the area of private final consumption, it even rose by 12.3 percentage points. This means that plastic packaging Recycling rates totalling 55.2 per cent in relation to the overall market. And in the area of private end consumption, this figure is as high as 61.7 per cent (packaging subject to mandatory participation and deposit bottles). The consumption of plastic packaging decreased by 1.2 per cent in 2019 compared to the previous year and is at the same level as in 2017.

„The leap in recycling is a tremendous success of the new Packaging Act, which our industry campaigned for. As we know how committed the manufacturers of plastic packaging are to the circular economy of their products, we are particularly pleased with this progress.“ Dr Isabell SchmidtIK Managing Director

Requirements of the Packaging Act take effect

It is fitting that the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) has also recorded clear successes with regard to the fulfilment of legal requirements. The requirement for the recycling of plastic packaging in the amount of 58.5 per cent was achieved.

„The targets are very ambitious and achieving them was not automatically to be expected,“ explains Dr Schmidt. „The fact that we have nevertheless succeeded in increasing the amount recycled by 50 per cent in a joint effort confirms that we are determined to continue on our cooperative path with all stakeholders and politicians.“

In contrast to the recycling quotas mentioned above, the statutory quota relates exclusively to the packaging volumes involved in the dual systems. Another positive aspect is that the ZSVR has succeeded in curbing the high level of sub-licensing to a considerable extent.

Continue to strengthen the circular economy, set incentives

According to the IK, the Packaging Act and the newly created Central Agency Packaging Register have made a significant contribution to the further development of the circular economy for packaging and the private waste disposal system. A fundamental review of the Packaging Act is scheduled for 2022.

„Our industry sees itself on a very good path with the law, which for the first time also provides impetus for recyclable packaging design. Our goal is to further strengthen financial incentives for recyclable packaging design. So that the circular economy gains even more momentum and our members“ investments in new packaging designs also pay off," says Schmidt about the expectations for the future of the Packaging Act.

Source: IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e. V.