Commissioner Sinkeviius will represent the Commission at the high-level meeting organised by the United Nations. A more accurate perspective, in Ryan's view, is to see the plastics problem as related to the climate change problem without allowing it to be a distraction. They have shown themselves vital in medicine and have been pivotal in the global effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past 16 months. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. This "common sense" approach resembles the waste hierarchy with a simple priority order that holds true in most cases. have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Plastics circularity needs to become meaningful, inclusive, and practical, says study. Korley said she sees growing passion for this daunting challenge. Rethinking plastics recycling: towards a circular economy. The work of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is supported by our Strategic Partners and Partners. In the EU, we keep strengthening our legislation to reduce plastic pollution from new EU-wide rules to reduce packaging to measures on microplastics. Rethinking plastics: Urgent call to action on plastics pollution. "So I was very keen to work with LaShanda and Thomas on this. DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.04.049. Policy pathways to enable advanced plastic recycling, An infographic presenting the policies needed to implement emerging recycling technologies. "The plastics waste dilemma is a global challenge that requires urgent intervention and a concerted effort that links partners across industrial, academic, financial, and government sectors buttressed by significant investments in sustainability," they write. (PDF) Circular Economy Measures: An Opportunity For Rethinking Plastics All rights reserved. rest is incinerated or landfilled, and some ultimately leaks into the environment, including waterways and the economy. Researchers from TNO and Fraunhofer UMSICHT have elaborated a white paper that provides a basis for the transformation of plastics production and use. The production and use of plastics cause environmental pollution and microplastics, deplete fossil resources and lead to import dependencies. Identify the news topics you want to see and prioritize an order. At the same time, alternatives - such as glass packaging - could cause even more environmental burden or have poorer product properties. Note: "How people live with waste and how they recycle is so different. Circularity measured with such indicators fails to capture system realities or broader effects, including potential rebound effects that may negate or even overturn environmental benefits. RT @NLinKenya: Today's dialogue centers around rethinking design and solutions to plastic pollution in textile, packaging, and beyond. Rethinking Plastics in a Circular Economy, An Economist Impact programme assessing advanced plastic recycling technologies. Have any problems using the site? Discover how Dow is helping to solve plastic pollution out at sea with solutions closer to home. In this episode, we'll explore worldwide cutting-edge upstream innovation examples to tackle We need a legally-binding global treaty to end plastic pollution. This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. For more information from IUCN on the plastics treaty process, please see: The answer is a balance ranging from plastics reduction to a sustainable use of recyclable plastics. Plastics circularity refers to the idea of keeping plastics within the economy and out of the environment by reducing waste generation, promoting recycling, and reusing plastic materials. The circular economy considers every stage of a products journey before and after it reaches the customer. 0.39 MB], Reusable plastic crates or single-use carboard boxes [PDF They need professionals to break down the costs and benefits and explain the options. Innovate to ensure that the plastics we do need are reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Both organizations also start a hands-on platform for plastics in a circular economy: European Circular Plastics Platform CPP aimed at removing existing barriers and sharing of promising solutions. ScienceDaily, 1 July 2021. Drastically reduce leakage of plastics into natural systems (in particular, the ocean) and other negative externalities. The adoption of a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution is a key priority of the EUsCircular Economy Action Planunder theEuropean Green Deal. About 12% will be incinerated. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.). "There isn't an easy answer to the plastics problem. He calls it a "convenient truth" -- the convenience and cheap cost of such products make them compelling to consumers, without recognizing the inherent value and cost to the planet. In particular, it could drastically reduce negative externalitiesvalued . PDF The New Plastics Economy Rethinking the Future of Plastics - Pace This is the challenge for CPI, which Korley directs. Meanwhile, plastic products that are to remain in the economy should be designed in a more sustainable way, including through increased use of recycled plastics. The platform will also offer its members regular hands-on workshops on plastics topics, roundtable discussions on current issues, and participation in multi-client studies on pressing technical challenges. Plastics in a Circular Economy | Ellen MacArthur Foundation As we move towards a circular economy, there is a huge incentive for chemists to find innovative ways of handling plastics composite waste, as Thomas Lonsdale and Paul Dunne explain. Source: University of Delaware. Regulation of plastic from a circular economy perspective The High Ambition Coalition, co-chaired by Norway and Rwanda, brings together like-minded countries, advocating ambitious goals for the new legally binding instrument to tackle the growing amount of plastic waste choking our planet. 0.91 MB], White-Paper-Release-of-Microplastics-into-the-Marine-Environment-2021.pdf [PDF Rethinking plastics in a circular economy - World Ocean Initiative Millions of tonnes of plastic waste are lost to the environment, or sometimes shipped thousands of kilometres to destinations where it is mostly burned or dumped. He sees the value in recycling and upcycling and development of new materials, but none is a "silver bullet." In a new paper published today in Waste Management journal, four scientists from Brunel University London, Politecnico di Milano, University of Southern Denmark and Wageningen University & Research remind us that circularity is not necessarily synonymous with sustainability. Create an effective after-use plastics economy by improving the economics and uptake of recycling, reuse, and controlled biodegradation for targeted applications. Reading time: 5 min. Rethinking Plastic - Home "Climate change is an inconvenient truth and an invisible truth," he said. This podcast is supported by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and was produced by a team of Economist Impact researchers, writers, editors, producers and graphic designers, including: Martin Koehring, Martina Chow, Isobel Farquharson, Caroline Kinneberg, Melissa North, Stefan Georgiou, Muireann Price, Huseyin Kemal Gunduzler, Elsa Lima, Maria Gonzalez. PlastLIFE SIP - Re-thinking plastics in a sustainable circular economy project promotes the implementation of the Plastics Roadmap for Finland (PRfF) during seven years, 2023-2029. ScienceDaily. This implies several, partly quite drastic changes at 4 levels: legislation and policy, circular chain collaboration, design and development, and education and information. For example, one recent study found that 53 percent of plastic packaging in Europe could today be recycled ecoefficiently. While the exact figure can be debated and depends on, among others, the oil price, the message is clear: there are pockets of opportunities to be captured alreadyand even where not entirely feasible today, the New Plastics Economy offers an attractive target state for the global value chain and governments to collaboratively innovate toward. You don't associate driving to the store with climate change. Urgent action is needed to move the industry into a positive spiral of value capture, stronger economics, and better environmental outcomes. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. Original written by Beth Miller. PDF Rethinking plastics in a circular economy - EASAC Its focus is on "upcycling" plastics -- finding ways to turn plastic waste into valuable materials such as fuels and lubricants. The project partners have therefore developed a guiding principle for prioritization based on the idea of the waste hierarchy. The event features a panel discussion on taking a revitalised and collective approach to building a resilient blue economy, and is moderated by the head of the World Ocean Initiative Rethinking Plastics - Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter In addition, the functional properties of the target product, the comparison with alternative products without plastics, and their impact in a variety of environmental, social and economic categories over the entire life cycle are crucial. Plastics Europe publishes the second edition of the "The Circular Economy for Plastics - A European Overview" report. Case study: Digital ledgers champion circular behaviors - EY PARIS, May 23, 2023 /CSRwire/ - Today Amcor, Delterra, Mars and P&G jointly announce the launch of a strategic partnership to stem the tide of plastic pollution in the Global South. In this report, Economist Impact examines the distinguishing characteristics of a range of plastic recycling While voluntary action is important, it is not sufficient by itself. As a result, the researchers describe four strategic approaches for transforming today's largely linear plastics economy into a fully circular future: Narrowing the Loop, Operating the Loop, Slowing the Loop, and Closing the Loop. 1.97 MB], White paper summary: From #plasticfree to future-proof plastics [PDF Therefore, striving to achieve circularity will not always guarantee a sustainable outcome. The Science paper addresses that and much more, with an urgency that reflects the real and present dangers for a planet choked by discarded plastics that aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Rethinking the future of plastics | McKinsey Before end of their life-cycle, plastics are a mark of human ingenuity, post their useful time, they become symbol of societal incapability. When it comes to plastics packaging, consumers and manufacturers expect big results from minimal material. PDF Industry Agenda The New Plastics Economy Rethinking the future of plastics Plants Can Distinguish When Touch Starts Quarter-Ton Marsupial Once Roamed Australia, 1/3 of Galaxy's Common Planets in Habitable Zone, Towering Plume of Water Escaping Saturn Moon, Channel Island Foxes Face New Threat to Survival, NIRISS Instrument on Webb Maps an Ultra-Hot Jupiter's Atmosphere, Quest for Alien Signals in the Heart of the Milky Way Takes Off, Towering Plume of Water Escaping from Saturn Moon, A Protein Mines, Sorts Rare Earths Better Than Humans, Paving Way for Green Tech, Source-Shifting Metastructures Composed of Only One Resin for Location Camouflaging, Protein-Based Nano-'Computer' Evolves in Ability to Influence Cell Behavior, Effective as a Collective: Researchers Investigate the Swarming Behavior of Microrobots, Robots and Rights: Confucianism Offers Alternative, Everyday Plastic Products Release Trillions of Microscopic Particles Into Water, How a Bacterium May Help Solve the Plastic Pollution Crisis, 'Deceptively Simple' Process Could Boost Plastics Recycling. Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletters are free features that allow you to receive your favourite sci-tech news updates. Campaign group says plastics are incompatible with circular economy as countries prepare for treaty talks Recycling plastic can make it more toxic and should not be considered a solution to the . "It is high time to implement the circular economy principles in the plastic sector. Addressing the plastics dilemma requires recognition of the true value of plastics. Please, allow us to send you push notifications with new Alerts. The global community achieved a big milestone during the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in March 2022, when countries agreed to start negotiations for the new instrument. With innovation and collaboration as pillars of the new centers they co-direct -- Korley's U.S. Department of Energy-backed CPI and Epps' NSF-backed CHARM and GCR, Korley and Epps, the Allan and Myra Ferguson Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, are at the forefront of efforts to extend the life of petroleum- and bio-derived plastics and/or put them on a circular path that continues from production to first use to reconstitution to forever. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Economist Group or any of its affiliates. Through the Global Commitment and Plastics Pact Network more than 1,000 organisations, including businesses and governments, have united behind this vision and 2025 targets for a circular economy for plastic. Our goal to reduce plastic packaging | Unilever Additionally, it evaluates how the circular economy of plastics has evolved in the EU27+3 compared to 2018. This approach is not only vital to stop plastic pollution, it also offers strong economic, social, and climate benefits. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. As an example of a meaningful and practical approach, the four researchers Ciprian Cimpan, Eleni Iacovidou, Lucia Rigamonti and Eggo U. Thoden van Velzen propose a product-centric circularity scorecard that captures aspects likely to demonstrate a product's environmental sustainability. Rethinking plastics in a circular economy I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Circular economy: rethinking composite plastic packaging - Mewburn Plastics now are everywhere in our lives, providing low-cost convenience and other benefits in countless applications. Significant economic value is lost after each use, and given the projected growth in consumption, by 2050 oceans are expected to contain more plastics than fish (by weight), and the entire plastics industry will consume 20% of total oil production and 15% of the annual carbon budget. A coordinating vehicle is needed to drive this, with an initial focus on establishing a global plastics protocol and coordinating large-scale pilots and demonstration projects, mobilizing large-scale moon shot innovations (such as developing bio-benign materials and polymers with superior recyclability), developing insights and building an economic and scientific evidence base to better understand material flows and economics of various solutions, engaging policy makers and providing them with a tool kit to better assess policy options, and coordinating and driving communication across the various stakeholders acting along the global plastic-packaging value chain. The answer is a balance ranging from plastics reduction to a sustainable use of recyclable plastics. Circulate Circulate all the plastic items we use to keep them in the economy and out of the environment Operating the Loop refers to using renewable energy, minimizing material losses, and sourcing raw materials sustainably. They consider the integration of the perspectives of all stakeholders and their values and the potential of current and future technologies. Financial support for ScienceDaily comes from advertisements and referral programs, where indicated. The report further explores the policy framework necessary to implement and scale up these emerging technologies. economy. If business proceeds as usual, this number is projected to double to more than 600 million metric tons in the next 20 years. Today, almost a third of all plastic packaging leaks, with about 8 million metric tons annually polluting oceans. Rethinking Plastic - Circular Economy Regular meetings will be held in the cross-border region of Germany and the Netherlands as well as online. Circulate all the plastic items we use to keep them in the economy and out of the environment, Explore the vision for a circular economy for plastic. Transitioning to a Sustainable, Circular Economy for Plastics Workshop Episode 4: Circular Cities G7 summit: 3 key takeaways for net zero action, nature and the circular 'Rethinking Plastics' works jointly with its partners towards a circular economy for plastics in seven countries in East and Southeast Asia and enhances policy and practical exchanges between the EU, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. A (UN treaty) is the next necessary step, if we are to scale the successful voluntary agreements already in place. Summary: In a new issue of Science, devoted to the plastics problem, call for new approaches to plastics design, production and use, with the . Tune in as we unpack the solutions and challenges associated with facilitating a circular economy transition across plastics, food, fashion and cities, Episode 2: Circular Food Finally, for Closing the Loop, plastics must be collected, sorted and recycled to high standards. Read the report The Circular Economy for Plastics A European Overview. Tune in as we unpack the technological and business innovations, policy solutions, and challenges associated with making plastics, food, fashion and cities more circular. Bangkok, 31 March 2021 - On the way to reduce and better manage plastic waste in Thailand, the Pollution Control Department of the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the 'Rethinking Plastics - Circular Economy Solutions to Marine Litter' project, funded by the European Union and the German Government, presented three new pilo. 4 THE NEW PLASTICS ECONOMY PREFACE The circular economy is gaining growing attention as a potential way for our society to increase prosperity, while reducing demands on finite . students.". A report by the British Plastics Federation aims to address some of the key sustainability issues in the plastics industry and provide concrete examples and case studies highlighting the industrys contribution towards sustainability. Plastics are important materials for our economy and daily lives. The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics "Rethinking plastics: Urgent call to action on plastics pollution." keeping them out of our rivers and seas. "Our aim is to trigger a scientific discussion on how to best combine scientific knowledge and research on the flows of materials, components and products through society to achieve the broader objective of sustainability, while keeping up with the timelines imposed by the pace of business and policy decisions. The building blocks of plastics -- monomers -- are made up of elements including carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, chlorine and sulfur. All rights reserved. Inside the Circle is a four-part podcast series exploring the circular economy in action. Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Rethinking Plastics: Engaging Business Sector for a Circular Economy Rethinking Plastic - About the Project Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkeviius said: An international plastics treaty is our chance to stop plastic pollution by introducing global rules throughout the entire plastics life cycle. Polytechnic University of Milan. Circular Plastics | Economist Impact For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Eliminate all problematic and unnecessary plastic items. "For all of these issues where science and engineering and society intersect, the answer is always: It's complicated.". ocean. Sustainability in the plastics supply chain. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. With four strategic approaches, researchers from the German institute Fraunhofer UMSICHT and the Dutch institute TNO now provide insights into how this future scenario could look like in their recently published white paper "From #plasticfree to future-proof plastics". That is why we are making a plea for meaningful circularity goals, to avoid that business or policy decisions involuntarily contribute to cementing policy and infrastructure that do not contribute to true sustainability," they conclude. It's a tall order that includes attention to recycling, "upcycling" (reusing materials in new added-value ways), development of new materials and recognition of the needs of under-resourced communities. Plastics - Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy Incentivize and Support Product Design for Reuse and Recycling of Plastics. The newly released report is a contribution towards a better understanding of the circular economy of plastics in the EU27 + Norway, Switzerland and The United Kingdom. Stakeholder collaboration can play a catalytic role by establishing a clear roadmap to implement emerging recycling technologies. In a sweeping introductory article, the scientists -- including two from the University of Delaware, one from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California and another from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom -- call for fundamental change in the way plastics are designed, produced, used and reused. Today's technological advances offer the prospect of preventing plastic waste from entering the ocean. And after the four of us do our usual roundtable discussion, we will also be welcoming in two different . The covid-19 pandemic starkly revealed peoples dependency on plastic as well as the ongoing failure of In China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam the project focused on the transition to a circular economy through plastic waste prevention and management. Current recycling technologies have to be improved for high quantity and quality recycling, explains Jan Harm Urbanus from TNO. The Group of Seven (G7) summit was the first in a series of important multilateral milestones in the diplomatic calendar for 2023. Mechanical recycling remains the first port of call for the plastics recycling industry and is expected to co-exist and be complementary with advanced recycling approaches.
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