Plastics Recycling Ambassador of the Year: Erica Canaia, Fimic
PETplanet: Erica, congratulations! You were honoured as Plastics Recycling Ambassador of the Year at this PRSE! What does this award mean to you personally and professionally?
Erica Canaia: For me recycling is a mission. When I started many years ago in 2011, I didn’t have any idea about the efforts that all recyclers put into improving recycling and avoid waste in general in the environment. Every day, I try to speak about something other than plastic, l’m also putting my life on social media explaining the difficulties that there is to balance work and family for a woman entrepreneur with a child. I think that this is also useful because many people have reached out to me to thank me for my posts, saying they are helping them to reflect and to think deeply about certain topics. For this reason, l feel that social media and my activity can be useful for a lot of people.
PETplanet: You are CEO of Fimic and co-founder of ‘Are you R’, a project to raise public awareness of the importance of plastics recycling. Can you tell us a bit about this project?
Erica Canaia: Are you R is a European project aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of plastics recycling, of the environment generally and the knowledge of the benefits associated to the recycling of plastic materials. Plastic is everywhere around us, and it’s easily available. Moreover, it has assumed a major importance over the years and it’s often unthinkable to replace it. It makes our lives easier every day in many ways. It’s really easy to use, but it’s also easy to throw it away. By using it correctly instead, we can make sure it’s recycled, so that new products can be created. Are you R was created under the auspices of a number of Italian companies, which have been operating in this sector for many years, together with Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE). Through a variety of content, ranging from current events to technology, from economics to lifestyle, Are you R has been talking about the evolution of plastic materials and their re-use from multiple perspectives. Only if you know how it works, can you improve people’s habits. Plastic waste is a major resource. Its management and appreciating its value are the key to a more sustainable world.
PETplanet: How important is public awareness and education in the success of plastics recycling initiatives? What strategies have you found effective in this area?
Erica Canaia: Public awareness and education are absolutely crucial to the success of plastics recycling initiatives because when people understand the benefits of recycling and how to do it correctly, they’re more likely to participate in recycling programs. This increases the volume of recyclable materials collected, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.
PETplanet: In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges currently facing the plastics recycling industry and how do you think these can be overcome?
Erica Canaia: In my opinion the plastic recycling industry should be speaking louder. Because we have the information and the knowledge, we can identify when companies are applying greenwashing actions, such as producing products that are not recyclable at all but nonetheless promoting them with labels suggesting they are recyclable. We need to demonstrate to people, to the consumer whether or not a product is recyclable. Educate and tell the truth about plastic, it’s not an evil destructive material as it has been demonised.
PETplanet: What are your future goals and aspirations in the field of plastics recycling? Are there any specific projects you are currently working on?
Erica Canaia: I’m working every day on speaking the truth about plastics, that’s my main goal: fight all the lies about this material and demonstrate how precious it really is.
PETplanet: Thank you very much Erica!
