Recycling of Novel Non-PET Plastics

About the workshop
One promising alternative to reduce the environmental footprint of packaging is the use of recycled materials. In Europe, the PPWR (packaging and packaging waste regulation) will require between 10 and 35% minimum recycled content for plastic food packaging by 2030 (and more from 2040).

Nowadays, recycled food contact plastic includes mainly PET as it is the only type of recycled plastic listed as suitable technology by the regulation in Europe and for which there are clear evaluation criteria defined by authorities such as EFSA. Consequently, the development of mechanically recycled plastic beyond PET is very limited in Europe so far.

Therefore, the objective of this workshop is to reflect on the safety assessment of recycling processes for polyolefins and polystyrene and to try to determine the most appropriate evaluation criteria for the safety of these materials. These requirements would help ensure all the potential safety risks are taken into account and controlled with a holistic approach from feedstock to final articles reaching the consumer in compliance with the high standards of safety expected by EFSA.

(PET is out of scope, this is not a training workshop – purpose is to discuss and prepare guidelines with criteria for recycling of PO and PS)

More information: https://ilsi.eu/event/workshop-recycling-of-novel-non-pet-plastics/