IK and Elipso welcome Plastic Strategy and recent announcement of brand owners in Davos
The IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen e.V. , German Association for Plastics Packagings and Films, and ELIPSO, the French Plastic & Flexible Packaging Association, re-emphasize their support of the recently published Plastic Strategy by the European Commission.
In this context, the associations also welcome the recent announcement of 11 leading
brand owners and retailers to work towards 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable
packaging and the new dynamic for recyclability of plastic packaging in Europe.
“With regard to the Plastic Strategy we especially appreciate the fact that the
Commission has drafted a strategy which both involves and engages political
decision-makers, the whole supply chain and the consumers”, says IK Managing
Director Dr. Jürgen Bruder. “We as industry will strengthen our efforts to use more
recycled material in the near future. However, for the time being poor quality and lack
of availability are impeding the increased use of recyclates. Also, consumers play a key
role when it comes to waste separation at the end of life of the packaging.”
“One objective of the strategy is to multiply by four the use of recycled plastic in
Europe. In order to achieve such an ambitious goal, the strategy will rely on voluntary
self-commitments of the industry,” says ELIPSO Managing Director, Emmanuel
Guichard.
As members of the signatory associations European Plastics Converters (EuPC),
Petcore Europe and Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform (PCEP), IK and ELIPSO
support the voluntary self-commitment of the plastics industry, published on 16th
January. The voluntary self-commitment contains concrete quotas for recyclability and
multiple use with respect to the milestones 2020, 2030 and 2040. Of particular interest
are polypropylene or polyethylene (polyolefin) packaging, constituting the biggest
share of around 70% of the European plastics packaging market.
While the Plastics Strategy puts the spotlight on packaging at the end of its life cycle,
it pays little attention to its use. “Recycling is an important aspect of Eco Design but Eco Design is far more than just recycling”, says Emmanuel Guichard. Dr. Jürgen
Bruder adds: “Plastic packaging ensures optimum keeping, giving it high economic
and environmental value. Its oxygen or humidity barrier significantly extends the
lifespan and nutritional quality of food.”
