{"id":44145,"date":"2021-04-22T16:29:10","date_gmt":"2021-04-22T14:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=44145"},"modified":"2021-04-22T16:29:10","modified_gmt":"2021-04-22T14:29:10","slug":"position-paper-circular-economy-creacycle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/positionspapier-kreislaufwirtschaft-creacycle\/","title":{"rendered":"Position paper: Material recycling in the circular economy for plastics"},"content":{"rendered":"

CreaCycle, EPC Engineering & Technologies and L\u00f6mi have developed a position paper on the circular economy for plastics, which is intended to appeal to all those involved in the topic.<\/p>\n

The authors of the position paper urge that the current terminology of the relevant waste directives be improved. The latest available technologies for plastics recycling, such as solvent-based processing, should be included. They suggest an EU directive specifically for plastic waste<\/strong> which enables a utilisation hierarchy based on physical and chemical processes.<\/p>\n

In addition, the Position paper<\/a> the need for improved sorting options for mechanical recycling and a regulatory framework that ensures that end-of-life costs are taken into account. Finally, the paper calls for the Recognition and inclusion of solvent-based cleaning\/dissolution<\/strong> as material recycling for the calculation of the recycling rate.<\/p>

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Position paper calls for precise definition of recycling<\/h2>\n

As a basis for future developments, the authors call for a More precise definition of the term \u201erecycling\u201c<\/strong>. This must be in line with the findings of physics and chemistry, follow the concept of the waste hierarchy (reduce - reuse - recycle), be based on the value chain for plastics (chemical element - intermediate product - monomer - polymer - plastic) and define material recycling (polymer to polymer) as preparation for the reuse of the polymer component.<\/p>\n

\u201eThe EU has so far lacked a recycling hierarchy. Furthermore, the current waste directives for polymer-based waste are not differentiated enough and they do not take into account conditions for repeated reuse of one and the same material, i.e. the mechanical recycling of polymers. Recycling is used as a general generic term, which includes reuse and recycling. Downcycling<\/a> in the form of depolymerisation as equivalent. Although this allows high recycling rates to be achieved, it creates conflicts for plastics, as reuse and recycling occupy two different positions in the waste hierarchy.\u201c Gerald Altnau,<\/strong> Managing Director of CreaCycle<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In this context, the authors refer to the fact that, in their opinion, the underutilised potential of solvent-based recycling<\/strong>. They are calling for this physical process of mechanical recycling to be included in the directives, as it fits in between the mechanical and chemical recycling processes that have so far been discussed as the only alternatives and can enable the reuse of polymers from plastic waste that currently has to be incinerated.<\/p>