To ensure that
used plastic
packaging
is viewed as
a valuable
resource
– is both a
challenge and
an opportunity.
A market for
post-consumer
recycled
materials
should also be
developed
help reduce the impact
of plastic tremendously.
Three core areas can
be focused on when
it comes to rethinking
packaging design – a)
reducing the use of
materials; b) using more
recycled raw materials;
and c) ensuring that
packaging is compostable
or recyclable.
• To ensure that used plastic
packaging is viewed as
a valuable resource – is
both a challenge and an
opportunity. A market for
post-consumer recycled
materials should also be
developed. This will help
boost the business case
for recycling services and
will also help increase
the collection and
reprocessing of used
materials.
• Companies, associations
and organisations
across the value chain
of flexible packaging
comprising retailers
and brand owners,
packaging converters,
raw material suppliers,
producer responsibility
organisations, collectors,
sorters and recyclers can
collaborate to establish a
circular economy for used
plastic packaging.
• The Government can also
contribute immensely
towards developing a
circular economy for used
plastic packaging. The
national governments can
help develop strategic
waste infrastructure.
They can also help
bring in investments
through lucrative waste
management schemes
Drink Asia
39
to encourage recycling
of plastic waste. They
can create policies and
frameworks which
facilitate the fundamental
shift of acting towards
creating a circular
economy approach for
recycling packaging waste.
• The consumers can also
prove to be strong allies.
Since collecting and
sorting recyclable plastic
waste are crucial steps
of a circular economy,
consumers play the key
roles here. Hence, it
is important to create
awareness among the
consumers, implement
community drives and
initiatives and make
every effort to ensure
that recycling becomes a
habit. Incentives can also
encourage consumers to
March-April 2019
put in more and consistent
efforts.
Hence, reconsidering
plastic packaging for a
circular economy can not
only provide an effective
solution for the problem of
plastic waste but also benefit
businesses at large. So, it’s
high time to reconsider
plastic packaging for a
circular economy.
* Erich Lawson is passionate
about saving the environment
through effective recycling
techniques and modern
innovations. He works with
Compactor Management
Company. and writes on
a variety of topics related
to recycling, including tips
and advice on how balers,
compactors and shredders can
be used to reduce industrial
waste.