Plastic and the challenge of the circular economy

The European strategy for plastics in a circular economy lays the foundations for a new economy of this fraction, identifying specific objectives, including that of ensuring by 2030 the full recyclability of all packaging placed on the market as well as the recycling of more than half of plastic packaging waste.
At present, the most updated data, referring to 2022, show a plastic packaging recycling percentage of 48.9%. Alongside the recycling objectives, the European legislation also introduces targets of recycled material content in packaging put on the market, with reference for example to packaging for liquid foodstuffs for which targets of 25% are set by 2025 in the case of PET bottles with a capacity of up to three liters and of 30% by 2030 for all types of drink bottles.
The implementation of separate collection systems can improve the quality of the collected waste and can reduce the contamination of the different fractions, representing a structural element to guarantee the achievement of the new targets.
Available data show that plastic, including all types of materials and not just packaging, still tends to be largely concentrated in mixed municipal waste with an overall recycling percentage of 20-25% compared to municipal plastic waste yearly generated.
Maximizing recycling also requires investments in new technologies, aimed at valorizing the currently non-recoverable fractions, alongside those already consolidated. The definition of the national strategy on plastics can guarantee to our country an effective path of technological innovation.
The day is an opportunity to take stock of the measures implemented and the technological possibilities available.

Session Chair

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

Programme

Speakers:
Andrea Massimiliano Lanz, Head of the National Centre for Waste and Circular Economy of ISPRA
Pierluigi Barbaro, Institute of Chemistry of Organometallic Compounds of ICCOM-CNR (National Research Council)
Francesco Iacotucci, Consulente ANCI
Luca Mariotto, Environment Unit Director of Utilitalia
Marilena di Brino, Assorimap
Vincenzo Lumia, DG Plastic Europe Italia
Libero Cantarella, DG Unionplast
Cristina Poggessi, DG IPPR

Conclusions
Laura D’Aprile, Head of the Sustainable Development Department of the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security