Danish exhibit puts recycling in the public eye

The Danish Plastics Federation recently mounted a two-month exhibit designed to raise public awareness about industry efforts to promote and increase recycling rates. The exhibit included products from both ends of the value chain: those that were suitable for recycling at the end of life and products that had been made from recycled plastics. The aim, said the federation, was to show the potential that could be “unlocked if government policies and consumer behaviour changed”.

The exhibit was held in the foyer of the headquarters of the Danish Industry in Copenhagen,

from 1 May to 30 June. The official opening took place on 4 May, during the annual general meeting of the Federation, which was attended by over 250 representatives from the plastics industry, as well as the press.

 In her opening speech, Environmental Manager of the Danish Plastics Federation Christina Busk called for political action that would promote recycling initiatives, noting that to those working in plastics, recycling is “common sense”.

“The only thing keeping them from recycling even more is laws, regulations and consumer behaviour. In the future, we need circumstances that encourage a circular economy, not challenge it”.

The exhibit was open to the public and because of its central location, attracted a great deal of public interest and sparked discussion with many different stakeholders. An important priority was ensuring that schools visited the exhibit, to generate awareness about plastics and the environment among younger Danes, as well.

The Plastics Federation also engaged with visitors from municipal and agency environmental departments to talk about possibilities to collaborate on recycling schemes in the future. Christina Busk sees ample room for improvement in this area.

 “In Denmark, we are not good enough at recycling plastics from household waste, which belongs to the municipalities,” she said.  “If private companies get access to this resource we will see a large increase in recycling rates, green jobs and a development of green technology.”

The exhibit has since been borrowed by the Copenhagen municipality for educational purposes. Throughout the fall of 2017, many schools in the Greater Copenhagen area will be working on the theme of plastics and the environment in several courses. Visiting the exhibit will be one of the main activities.