The EU package on the circular economy sets the bar high for business: Currently, 22.5% of all plastic packaging in the EU needs to be recycled. In Denmark, we have already reached 34%. The target for 2025 is an ambitious 50%. To achieve this, it is necessary to use raw materials as efficiently as possible and keep them in the recycling cycle for as long as possible. Life as we live it today would be unthinkable without plastic. Plastic has proven to be the best alternative as a material for many household and industrial products in the last half century. Nevertheless, plastic has been criticized and questioned.

 

Consider recycling from the beginning
2025 - 50% recycled plastic: This is only possible if you already at the beginning of the value chain ensure that the materials must be collected, sorted and utilized in the best possible way according to their use. In order to achieve future recycling targets, the demand for secondary plastics and the use of high-quality recycling must also be significantly increased. This requires a joint effort from producers, consumers, local authorities and all stakeholders in the economic cycle.

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Measurements

The EU's goals may seem ambitious, but as we all know, there is no time to waste. Packaging waste must be recycled on a large scale: In 2020 - 60%; by 2025 - 65% and by 2030 - 75%!

 

The EU's circular economy system

The European Commission has defined what a successful circular economic system should look like: Recycling must become a rewarding business for all parties concerned. The goal is to contain plastic waste and prevent waste in the sea. Investments should be made and technical innovations mobilized, thereby influencing change worldwide.

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The waste hierarchy in the circular economy
The waste hierarchy must function as follows: Reduce, reuse, recycle, alternative recovery and disposal.

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Reduce: Smaller material must already be used in production. The products must last  longer and be recycled. Less "hazardous" materials must be used.

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Reuse: Inspection, cleaning and repair of whole objects or parts thereof for recycling should also help to control the waste.

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Recycling (Recycle): Waste is converted into a new substance or product or composted whenever possible.

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Recovery: Here there are many different options, such as: Chemical degradation, anaerobic digestion, combustion for energy production or pyrolysis for the production of fuels.

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Disposal (Landfill): As small a part as possible should end up in landfill or be taken for incineration without energy recovery.