Sustainable action plan for beverage packaging
Suntory Beverage & Food France and Carrefour have signed an agreement.
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Plastic packaging still does not enjoy the best reputation. This is largely due to prejudices or inaccurate information from consumers. An article by the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V. clears up these myths and presents facts on the recyclability and sustainability of plastic packaging.
Plastic packaging offers sustainable properties and practical functions. Nevertheless, they often have a negative image, partly due to a lack of factual knowledge.
In a current article On its portal kunststoffverpackungen.de, the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V. refers to representative studies that regularly show the benefits of the material for climate protection. And it complains that the poor reputation of laws such as the current EU packaging regulation (PPWR), which sets specific reduction targets exclusively for plastic packaging, and thus represents a symbolic policy against plastics that promotes poorly recyclable composite packaging.
The article debunks myths about the circular economy of plastic packaging and shows how effective recycling and waste separation contribute to sustainability. The explanations are backed up with clear graphics. Below we document the five myths refuted by the IK.
Myth: Plastic packaging is not recycled
It is often claimed that plastic packaging is not recycled but incinerated together with residual waste. In fact, the GVM Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung shows that the recycling rate for plastic packaging was 65.6 per cent in 2022. In the private sector, as much as 69.8 per cent was recycled. This packaging is sorted from the Yellow Bag and Yellow Bin and processed into new products.
Myth: Waste separation is not effective
Another myth is that waste separation is ineffective and has no positive environmental impact. However, the reality shows that high recycling rates can only be achieved through proper waste separation. Packaging must be intact and sorted so that sorting and recycling plants can work efficiently. Campaigns such as „Waste separation works“ offer consumers valuable tips on how to separate waste correctly.
Myth: Plastic waste is exported abroad
It is often assumed that plastic waste is exported abroad and dumped there. According to the Central Agency Packaging Register Foundation, around 84.4 per cent of plastic packaging was recycled in Germany in 2022. Only 0.1 per cent was exported to non-European countries. The Basel Convention ensures that exported plastic waste is properly recycled, regardless of its destination.
The clarification of these myths shows, that plastic packaging can play an important role in a functioning circular economy, if they are disposed of and recycled correctly. Innovations and new technologies are helping to continuously improve recyclability and develop more sustainable packaging solutions.
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