We, the signatories of this letter (civil society organisations and reuse businesses across Europe), are concerned that misinformation and intense lobbying from the single-use packaging industry and the take-away sector are undermining the need for reuse as a driver for waste prevention, resource conservation and climate protection in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
This regulation represents a critical opportunity for the much-needed transition towards more circular packaging systems at a time where it is crucial to tackle emissions, pollution and resource use in all sectors. The focus of decision-makers should remain firmly on the key objective of the PPWR, which is reducing packaging waste and improving the environmental performance of this increasingly wasteful sector.
Until the mid-1950s, plastics were precious commodities that were used and treated carefully. But in just 65 years, plastic production has increased by 18,300 per cent – fuelling a relentless convenience lifestyle that produces enormous and unnecessary quantities of waste.
The global trade in plastic waste has mirrored the growth in global plastic production, allowing high income, high-consuming countries to avoid the direct social and environmental impacts of their plastic problem and driving the ever-expanding production and consumption of virgin (new) plastics.
A new report from the Ecologic Institute, commissioned by the Rethink Plastic alliance outlines why extended producer responsibility and “ecomodulation”- charging differentiated fees based on the sustainability of a product or packaging – can be a key opportunity for waste prevention across Europe.
Circular Economy Portugal’s study on making the case for packaging reuse systems forms the basis for the Rethink Plastic alliance and Break Free From Plastic’s Realising Reuse report. The study includes an outline of barriers and opportunities for reusable packaging, priority product groups, potential to scale up to reuse for key groups, main business and environmental drivers and policy recommendations.
Based on a study conducted by Circular Economy Portugal, the Realising Reuse report highlights the capacity for reuse to thrive with the right sector specific targets, policy frameworks, contributing significantly to circular economy and Paris Agreement objectives, while saving companies and consumers money.
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