On 28 June, different plastics associations and companies reunited at the European Parliament (Brussels) to discuss with Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Cyrus Engerer the proposed Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and its impacts on the sustainability of the European plastic industry. The event, which was jointly organised, by Plastics industry associations and hosted by MEP Cyrus Engerer was the occasion to share concerns and hopes about the implementation of the PPWR but also to present good initiatives and practices from European industries when it comes to plastic recycling and circularity.
MEP Cyrus Engerer
The event, entitled “The Proposed PPWR, Help or Hindrance to the European Plastics Industry’s sustainability transition”, brought together the entire plastic value chain: Ceflex, European Plastics Converters (EuPC), Flexible Packaging Europe, PCEP (Polyolefin Circular Economy Platform), Plastics Europe, Styrenic Circular Solutions, Vinyl Plus and of course EUMEPS.
As we know, the PPWR is getting a lot of interest from all Member States and almost all parts of the economy as it will impact all types of packaging materials, not limited to plastics – only a fraction of the materials concerned by the regulation. Therefore, allowing the voice of the Plastics industries to be heard by key public stakeholders such as MEP Cyrus Engerer is crucial to guarantee the success of the Regulation – Regulation which is fully supported by EUMEPS (see here). “I decided to host this event because I see the willingness of the plastics industries to change. We should acknowledge the challenges these industries are facing as well as the need for policies to support and incentivise this change” , said MEP Cyrus Engerer in his introduction speech.
He continued by highlighting different aspects of the PPWR which must be considered by legislators, for instance the social aspects of the regulation which should ensure that a change in packaging use would not have a negative impact on the consumer’s supermarket bill: the most vulnerable members of the society should indeed not be forgotten. MEP Cyrus Engerer also tackled the important part European industries must play, and, as a practical man, how the legislation should make the best of two worlds to ensure a greener future: “We will still need packaging and we will still use plastics after the entry into force of this legislation. We should have a sustainable European plastics industry rather than no industry at all, where we import our materials from countries which may not share my view of environmental protection”, he said.
To provide the attendees with a concrete example of his deep understanding of the challenges faced by industries, he reminded them of his extended experience as Shadow Rapporteur of the European Parliament’s position on Waste Shipment which already includes recycled content targets. “We called for such targets to create a functioning market for recycled plastics, especially if we are not going to be able to export them”, he explained, “I am very interested in hearing the perspectives on recycled content in plastics today”. The PPWR should ideally lead to the creation of new startups bringing sustainable solutions to meet these ambitious targets and requirements. “Indeed, policies should not only work for big companies but for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as well”, he concluded.
The discussions showed the commitment of the plastics industry to move toward recyclability, reuse and recycled content as well as their support of many of the measures proposed by the Commission which was represented by Ionnis Antonopoulos (Policy Officer at European Commission DG ENV). Ioannis Antonopoulos mentioned that the quarterly reporting for recycled content targets could distort the internal market and become an obstacle to packaging’s compliance with the labelling requirement. He also mentioned that a closed (product) loop recycling system should not be linked to design for recycling criteria or essential requirements for packaging, but he highlighted that it could potentially work as a condition for assigning a recyclability performance grade to packaging. Some concerns such as closed-loop topics were raised and heard by MEP Cyrus Engerer. The need to move forward with the legislation is welcomed by industries even though, as pointed out during discussions, they also need time to adapt.
“I am particularly happy to hear the industry’s thoughts and support for recycled content targets to cover all types of plastic packaging. Such measures can create positive incentives and market signals for investments in new technologies. I look forward to continuing to work with all actors towards an end to plastics waste and a more sustainable European economy”, concluded MEP Cyrus Engerer .