Plastic pollution is the main determinant in controlling the deterioration of ecosystems, according to a study by Nature. In other words, to ensure greater sustainability of the planet, it is key to promote plastic recycling, for example, promoting growth in the production of reusable PET containers, which will help reverse the process of environmental deterioration.
Significantly reduce waste generation
The European Union (EU) has set itself the target of reducing the current volume of urban waste by 65% by 2030. In the case of plastic, this will mean that all packaging marketed in the EU will have to be recyclable or reusable. These milestones are only a small part of a global Circular Economy strategy that aims to transform and consolidate a new consumption model that moves from a linear system of use and throw away, to one that is continuously fed back through the constant use of waste, including plastic.
Thus, the commitment of both the public and private recycling sectors will significantly reduce the accumulation of waste in landfills, extend the useful life of products and improve the economy, since, as in the case of rPET, it is a clean, inexpensive material that can be reused several times and provides benefits for consumers. These include its strength, flexibility and lightness. As a result, it is becoming increasingly essential for the performance of industries such as food, automotive, cosmetics and healthcare.
Recycling advocates extending the useful life of products and changing the linear consumption pattern
The recycling of plastic serves to improve access to resources for many industries, reducing costs, but also represents an important business opportunity for companies that are committed to innovation in the recycling of rPET containers. In this sense, it is worth mentioning the example of companies such as REPETCO, which has been able to develop its own patented system, respectful with nature, through food multilayer PET/PE containers of post-consumer origin. Through a unique process, rPET pellets and rPET are generated that can be reused in the food industry with multilayer PET/PE trays and sheet packaging; in bottles for soft drinks or detergents; and in fibers for the textile and automotive industries.
What is involved in massive plastic recycling?
A study by ING states that European companies use more than eight million tons of plastic every year to produce food and beverage packaging. This reveals the importance of plastic for the proper development and functioning of the economy, although it is critical to better control its environmental impact.
Circular Economy to generate 24 million jobs worldwide by 2030
According to the United Nations (UN), each kilogram of recycled plastic avoids the emission of around 1.5 kilograms of CO2 into the atmosphere. Increasing the current levels of recycling of this material in the coming years will have very important benefits for the planet, such as the reduction of the negative impact on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, as well as savings in the consumption of electricity and non-renewable fossil fuels. From an economic point of view, in addition to the reduction in production costs for companies, it will also mean considerable savings for households since recycled plastic will help to make the final cost of products significantly lower.
From a labor perspective, the new Circular Economy models are generating demand for new professional profiles related to recycling. So much so that, according to forecasts by the International Labor Organization (ILO), the Circular Economy will generate 24 million jobs worldwide by 2030. Within it, this organization points out that the industry with the greatest potential will be that of waste management.
Other articles of interest: The future challenges of the domestic plastic sector
