PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2019

MATERIALS / RECYCLING PET planet Insider Vol. 20 No. 10/19 www.petpla.net 21 uncontrolled manner in the European Union, are systematically missing from the plastic statistics. For decades, bans on hormone-active plasticisers were prevented. Eyes were closed on the large-volume of plastic waste exports to developing countries, which count as material recycling. Every expert knew what really happened to the plastics. In the European Union, less than 10% of waste plastics are recycled into new plastics. Thermo- plastics can be recycled very well if collected in their pure form, better than most other materials. Instead of tackling the actual problems, it was perceived only as a “communication problem”. And when the plastics industry is asleep, they should not be surprised if the EU Commission and the national environment ministries now take mat- ters into their own hands. The recently adopted plastics strategy, including restrictions and bans on certain dis- posable plastic products, is the conse- quence of this behaviour. Linda: And are politicians doing better than the industry now in tack- ling the problem? Michael: I’m afraid not. Of course, there are some sensible measures being taken, such as the ban on oxo- degradable plastics, which decom- pose particularly quickly into micro- plastics. However, the “single-use ban” is a purely symbolic policy and a bad one at that, which will have little effect, but will inflame the hysteria about plastics, introduce unnecessary product bans and leave the field to worse materials – without affecting the real problems at all! There are a number of meas- ures that would make a real differ- ence on a large scale: a ban on the export of plastic waste, curtailing the use of landfill, mandatory deposit for all plastic bottles for all types of beverages, a ban on the intentional use of microplastics and increased use of high-quality polymers instead of composite systems, as these are easier to recycle (Design for Recycling). Plastic waste could be systematically collected and recy- cled worldwide. A global standard for the biodegradation of certain polymers could reduce risks in cases where leakage into the environment is unavoidable. And finally, a clear concept is needed on how to move from fossil to renewable carbon by 2050. Or would the plastics industry like to be pilloried in 2050 as one of the largest and last emitters of fossil carbon? As an industry of the future? A photovoltaic area of only 1% of that of the Sahara would suf- fice to supply the entire chemical industry with renewable carbon – via solar hydrogen and CO 2 from the air. “The single-use ban fuels the hysteria about plastics, but it’s not plastics we should be doing without” Linda: What is so bad about the single-use ban, aren’t many products really pointless or can they be better substituted by other materials? Michael: Why is a coffee plastic stirrer worse than a wooden stirrer if it is properly rinsed or disposed of? Nothing. On the contrary. Due to its efficient production, the plastic stirrer should have a lower carbon footprint and can be materially recycled. The plastic stirrer can thus be turned into a plastic stirrer again. This will not be possible with the wooden stirrer – unless plastic helps to bind the wood particles. This is just one example among many. If one does not want to switch to ecologically worse materials, the single-use ban of plastics is practi- cally equivalent to product bans. Do we want an eco-dictatorship? A race for bans? One person thinks straws, the other balloon holder or coffee capsules are unnecessary – in the end we will all miss many products. Wouldn’t it make more sense to respect the needs of the people and find the best materials and end-of-life options that have the least environ- mental impact? In many cases, these are already plastics today – whether PET bottles, shopping bags or pack- aging that protect food – and this will increasingly be the case for future plastics based on renewable carbon, either from mechanical and chemical recycling, biomass or direct CO 2 use. The single-use ban fuels the hysteria about plastics, but it’s not plastics we should be doing without. The aim is to quickly turn plastics into a truly sustainable material solution and set up comprehensive disposal and recycling systems that minimise the risk of plastics entering the envi- ronment and causing microparticles. Given the raw material situation, we have no other option. And consum- ers will learn that more sustainable plastics will be more expensive, but already today almost half of German consumers are willing to spend more money on sustainable products. Linda: And will this be successful? Michael: I’m an optimist. The plas- tics industry can emerge from the cur- rent crisis renewed and strengthened like the Phoenix from the ashes – if it does its homework now and consist- ently tackles and solves the problems, and finally understands that they are not communication problems! In the meantime, the first, long overdue steps have been taken: around 30 leading chemical com- panies that operate along the value chain worldwide have organised themselves in the “Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW)” and intend to invest around 1.5 billion dollars over the next five years to promote projects for waste management, the circular economy and new recycling technolo- gies. Manufacturers of consumer prod- ucts are finally beginning to produce their packaging from 100% recycled material and make it fully recycla- ble. The targeted collection of plastic waste is also starting with its first projects. In Haiti, for example, the inhabitants collect plastic waste, and this year the amount is expected to reach 300 t. In return, Henkel pro- vides benefits in kind such as char- coal for cooking, vouchers for children attending school and the opportunity to recharge their mobile phones, or simply cash. A valuable scheme to buy collected plastic waste as a raw material. That should set a precedent all over the world. Linda: Thank you for the enlight- ening conversation. www.nova-institute.eu