For the first time, a far-reaching alliance of key civil society players has called on the German government to take decisive action to solve the plastics crisis in 15 joint demands.
Strict regulation and bans should Plastic production and consumption drastically reduced become. Disposable and packaging products should be disposed of along the entire supply chain within a binding timeframe. replaced by reusable systems and microplastic applications should be banned. In principle, the Use of primary raw materials, whether fossil or renewable, must be rigorously reduced. This includes the decisive introduction of a Circular economy focussed on prevention clear and binding legal requirements for Durability, reusability, reparability and recyclability for all product categories. This is the only way to reduce the ecological, health and climate impact caused by the flood of plastic on land, in the sea and in the air to the extent necessary.
The alliance is calling for a legal Liability for damages according to the polluter pays principle, which holds manufacturers and distributors responsible for all health, environmental and climate damage caused by their products. More Education, transparency and information transfer on the dangers of plastics and their ingredients for people, the environment and the climate. The alliance is also calling on the German government to take immediate action in favour of a international, binding agreement to solve the plastics crisis, which promotes international climate and marine protection and protects biodiversity.
„The effects of the global plastic crisis mean that Eastern Europe and South-East Asia are now the dumping grounds for plastic waste from Germany and all over the world. A solution to the plastic crisis can only succeed if all countries keep their rubbish at home. The German government must stop the export of plastic waste with regulations and controls and create incentives for sustainable product design worthy of the name. The packaging industry is therefore facing a radical change. The future belongs to reusable packaging. If we want to get to the root of the plastic crisis, packaging must ideally be reusable or at least fully recyclable. Others should be banned.“ Martin Kaiser, Managing Director Greenpeace
„The times of thoughtless plastic use have brought us to the brink of a global plastic crisis. We need to turn the tide and change our approach to plastic as quickly as possible. Politicians must define a strict framework so that industry, trade and consumers can work together to become reliable waste avoiders.“ Olaf Bandt, Chairman of the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND)
„By 2017, 9.2 billion tonnes had already been produced worldwide. Manufacturers want to increase their production by a further 30 per cent over the next few years. These growth rates can no longer be controlled. This is why plastic consumption must be rigorously curbed in all areas - the production, consumption and emissions of all synthetic plastics must be absolutely reduced through clear legal requirements. In addition, the regional differences are striking: in the USA, for example, five times more waste per capita is produced per year than in India, while Germany is the frontrunner in Europe. That's why the German government in particular needs to make a strong case for a global and binding agreement against the flood of plastics that holds the manufacturing countries and corporations as the main polluters accountable.“ Barbara Unmüßig, Chairman of the Heinrich Böll Foundation
IK criticises demands as counterproductive
The IK Industrial Association for Plastic Packaging criticises the demands presented in Berlin as counterproductive.
„While the manufacturers of plastic packaging in Germany are working flat out for a stronger circular economy, some lobby groups have unfortunately stopped at plastic bashing,“ criticised IK Managing Director Dr Martin Engelmann. „In recent months, politicians have set ambitious targets for plastic packaging in the circular economy. If the spiral of demands is now constantly being tightened, SMEs in particular will lack the planning security they need to make urgently required investments in more recyclable packaging and a higher use of recyclates. This is a disservice to the circular economy.“
If you want to master the challenges of the 21st century in terms of climate protection, plastic packaging not from the circular economy exclude.
The German manufacturers of plastic packaging have set themselves ambitious targets. Recycling targets by 2025 set. Eco Design has become a core element in the design of plastic packaging. The guidelines developed along the entire value chain Eco design of plastic packaging is to become the future standard repertoire of packaging development.
„With this package of measures, we want to ensure that at least 90 per cent of all plastic household packaging is fully recyclable. Today, this figure is already 75 per cent,“ explains Engelmann.
The goal of at least one million tonnes of recyclates for the production of plastic packaging should help to minimise the Demand for recycled material to be strengthened. At the same time, the aim is to ensure that plastic packaging no longer ends up irregularly in the environment, but is instead recycled.
Sources: BUND and IK
