The plastics industry is evaluating new circularity solutions for materials needed for packaging that may not have a viable alternative compared with other materials targeted for elimination or redesign.
As the U.S. government says it will back global targets limiting virgin plastic production, members of the U.S. Plastics Pact, a network of nearly 100 brands, governments, environmental groups and plastics firms, has released an updated report on problematic and unnecessary materials in plastic packaging, including a new list of materials under evaluation by the group.
Materials on the new evaluation list don't have a clear path to circularity, an Aug. 28 news release by the U.S. Plastics Pact said, but also may lack a viable alternative for a necessary product. Those items may not be appropriate to eliminate entirely.
"For these materials, key actions and needs for innovation are identified that will enable circularity if the necessary steps are taken across the value chain," the release said.
The U.S. Plastics Pact added more materials in specific applications to the updated problematic materials list this year, including multi-material films for general merchandise, bread bags, cereal bags, pallet stretch wrap and other applications.
"Traditional all-polyethylene stretch wrap is readily being recycled and is a key part of the recycling stream," Jonathan Quinn, CEO of U.S. Plastics Pact, told Plastics News in an interview.
Oxo-degradable additives are set for elimination by 2025, and all other degradability additives are set for elimination by 2030, the release said. The group also added non-compostable produce stickers, targeted for elimination by 2030, and degradability additives to the list.
"The report underscores the urgency and shared responsibility to shift to readily reusable, recyclable or compostable materials to achieve a circular economy," the news release said. "It provides a clear path for addressing design challenges [like contaminants], enabling advancements in circular package design, increasing recovery opportunities, and enhancing the quality of recycled content."
The report is already "being used in legislation nationwide," Quinn told PN.
U.S. Plastics Pact goals prioritize the removal of materials that hinder recyclability and compostability. This strategic focus aligns with the industry's goal of reducing plastic packaging's environmental and human-health impacts while enhancing the quality of recycled content available for future packaging needs.
"This report furthers our mission to support our [members] in achieving their objectives by providing clear, actionable guidance on eliminating materials that do not align with a circular economy," Quinn said in the release. "The report also exists to encourage increased engagement and innovation from companies throughout the plastics value chain, in hopes not merely to eliminate materials, but to discover potential new pathways to their circularity."
The 11 items on the previous report are expected to be eliminated by 2025. The updated report supports the development of policies that incentivize reuse, recycling, and post-consumer recycled content in packaging.