Plastic in the circular economy and in the packaging sector

Plastic plays a primary role in the circular economy, particularly in the packaging sector, as it is one of the most used materials for the protection, preservation and transport of goods. The massive growth of the production of single use products is not accompanied by a correspondent effective management system in terms of collection, selection and recycling. It is therefore necessary to ensure efficient and sustainable management of the entire supply chain in order to promote the low-carbon circular economy through eco-design strategies that guarantee greater durability, reusability, possibility of upgrading and repairability of products, greater use of recycled materials and greater recyclability when they reach the end of their life, with a consequent reduction in environmental impacts and waste production. In order to ensure the achievement of targets, products made of plastic materials should also be designed to maximize recycling, for example by reducing the presence of multiple polymers in the same product. Maximizing recycling also requires investments in new technologies, aimed at valorizing the fractions that are not currently recoverable, alongside those already consolidated. The definition of the national strategy on plastics can guarantee an effective path of technological innovation.

The day is an opportunity to discuss the measures implemented, the management methods and technologies available and future prospects, also in consideration of the evolution of European and national legislation.

Session Chair

Valeria Frittelloni, Head of Department of Environmental Assessment, Monitoring and Sustainability, ISPRA

Program

Speakers
Laura D’Aprile, Head of the Sustainable Development Department, Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security
Andrea Massimiliano Lanz, Head of National Centre for Waste and Circular Economy, ISPRA
Simona Fontana, Director General of CONAI
Walter Regis, President of Assorimap
Libero Cantarella, Director of Unionplast
Cristina Poggesi, Director of IPPR – Istituto per la Promozione delle Plastiche da Riciclo
Massimiliano Ubertini, General Coucilor Cisambiente Confindustria