World plastic production increased from 1.5 million tons in 1950 to 359 million in 2018.. Progress continues to increase, because just three years ago, in 2015, the amount was 322 million tons. At this rate, 400 million is expected to be reached very soon, if not yet reached. Production fell sharply in the first half of 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but recovered in the second half of the year.
This unstoppable growth in production means an increase in waste. In Europe, with 42.6% of the total volume, energy recovery (incineration) is the most common measure for the disposal of plastic waste. then follows Recycle with 32.5%. Finally, 25% of plastic waste is dumped in landfills.
Actual recycling rate varies by EU country. According to 2018 statistics from the European Parliament, Spain will be one of the countries with the best results in terms of kilograms recycled per capita and year and total volume of recycled plastics (see chart). However, the non-recyclable amount of this material is still much higher.
On the other hand, as the European Parliament has agreed, half of the plastic to be recycled is taken to other countries outside the EU due to a lack of capacity and technology or insufficient financial resources.
Until recently, most of the waste was sent to China for recycling, but as of 2018, that country has banned the introduction of low-quality plastics, often to illegal landfills or because they pollute the seas and natural areas. The same was later done by other countries in the region, which put an end to the arrival of Western containers loaded with plastic waste.
The EU seeks circular and environmentally friendly solutions to avoid increased incineration and waste accumulation in landfills.
The low recycling rate in the European Union causes great losses for the economy and the environment. It is estimated that 95% of the value of plastic packaging materials is recovered after a very short first use.
Scientists predict that Production and burning of plastic that emits 850 million tons of greenhouse gases in the world in 2019.
Emissions could rise to 2.8 billion tonnes by 2050, which could be reduced by better recycling.
Problems with plastic recycling
Key issues complicating plastic recycling is the quality and price of the recycled productcompared to its virgin counterpart.
Plastic processors require large quantities of recycled plastic produced to tightly controlled specifications and at a competitive price.
But as plastics adapt to and depend on the aesthetic or functional needs of each manufacturer, the diversity of raw materials complicates the recycling process, makes it more expensive and affects the quality of the final product.
As a result, the demand for recycled plastics remains very low and despite its rapid growth, Represented only 6% of total plastics demand in Europe in 2018.
Solutions and targets for 2030
Meanwhile, the European Commission submitted a proposal to stop plastic waste in the seas in May 2018. The new legislation includes community bans on the manufacture of ten main single-use plastic products, effective July 3, 2021: straws, cups, plates, cutlery or balloon sticks, among others.
However, plastic reduction targets in the EU are well defined with concrete horizons and figures. The European Green Deal states: By 2030, 55% of plastic packaging waste will need to be recycled.
Another legal target to achieve this 55% recycling rate in Europe is that all packaging produced must be recyclable or reusable by 2030.
In this context, directive no. 2019/904 in the field of agriculture-food,Plastic beverage containers up to three liters contain at least 25% recycled material by 2025 and 30% by 2030.. This is putting pressure on consumers, who are increasingly demanding sustainable solutions and a reduction in the use of plastic for packaging.
On the other hand, there are many companies that have declared percentages of recycled PET in some of their containers to be between 20% and 100%.
A technological innovation has emerged in recent months that seems to have come to the aid of plastic recycling: chemical recycling, much more harmless and respectful towards the environment. Adhering to this system, PlasticsEurope, the pan-European association of plastics raw materials manufacturers, has issued a statement urging the European Commission to include 30% reused plastic in recycled packaging by 2030.
“For this, it is essential to increase chemical recycling to achieve this imperative goal. In this sense, the planned investments by our members in this core technology and infrastructures range from 2,600 million Euros in 2025 to 7,200 million Euros in 2030 across Europe,” says the European plastics association.
PlasticsEurope also believes that “this goal can only be achieved by working closely with European institutions and the value chain”.
European Parliament website with data on plastics: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/es/headlines/priorities/reduce-los-residuos-del-plastico/20181212STO21610/reciclaje-y-residuos-de-plastic – Facts and figures in the EU
Informative website about industrial plastic recycling: https://www.ide-e.com/el-pet-reciclado-solucion-para-el-envase-plastico-alimentario-que-pide-la-ue/
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