Plastic products: new calculation method for recycled content

The European Commission is considering imposing requirements on the recycled content of plastic products. This measure would be in addition to the existing requirements for single-use beverage packaging.

Therefore, it has commissioned consulting firm Eunomia to develop options for the calculation, verification and reporting of recycled content. The first interim results from Eunomia’s study were presented and discussed at two stakeholder workshops in September and October. Landbell Group participated in the workshops.

Eunomia proposes to set the recycled content in relation to the product’s total weight by using a simple formula that factors in any losses during the production and recycling processes.

The calculation should be made either when the recyclate and primary material are mixed or when the actual product is created. The material must have previously been waste to be considered recyclate.

The report is to be finalised in the first quarter of 2022. Then, the Commission will have to decide which proposals it wants to adopt and translate into concrete legislation.