Milk bottles made of PET for better recycling! With a matching logo!

But what is the situation regarding PET recycling in Switzerland?

Unsere neusten Artikel zum Thema Kunststoffrecycling:

• CH vs. EU for plastic packaging regulations
• Recycling of plastic 

PET Recycling in der Schweiz

Das Recycling von PET (Polyethylenterephthalat) ist in der Schweiz hochentwickelt und effizient, wodurch das Land zu den weltweit führenden Anbietern im Recycling dieser Kunststoffart zählt. Hier einige wichtige Punkte:

Hohe recycling Rate:

Switzerland has one of the highest PET recycling rates in the world! The well-organised collection system and public awareness play a decisive role in this success.

Sammelsystem:

Das Land verfügt über ein dichtes Netz von Sammelstellen für PET-Flaschen, was deren Recycling erleichtert. Diese Sammelstellen befinden sich häufig an öffentlichen Plätzen, in Supermärkten und anderen Gewerbebetrieben.

Staatliche Unterstützung und private Initiativen:

Das PET-Recycling in der Schweiz wird von staatlichen Stellen unterstützt und von privaten Unternehmen gefördert. Regelmäßig werden Initiativen und Programme ins Leben gerufen, um das Recycling zu fördern und den Verbrauch von Einwegkunststoffen zu reduzieren.

PET-Recycling: „PET-Recycling“ ist eine Schlüsselorganisation für die Bewirtschaftung und das Recycling von PET-Flaschen in der Schweiz. Sie spielt eine zentrale Rolle bei der Erreichung der hohen Recyclingquoten, für die die Schweiz bekannt ist.

Here are some important points about PET recycling in Switzerland:

Mission und Ziele

Das Hauptziel von PET Recycling Switzerland ist die Förderung und Erleichterung des Recyclings von PET-Flaschen im ganzen Land. Die Organisation setzt sich dafür ein, dass PET-Flaschen effizient gesammelt, sortiert und recycelt werden, um die Umweltbelastung durch Plastik zu minimieren und die Kreislaufwirtschaft zu fördern.

• Closed-loop recycling: PET recycled in Switzerland is often used to produce new PET bottles, illustrating the principle of the circular economy. This reduces dependence on new resources and minimises the carbon footprint associated with the production of new plastics.

• Technological innovations: Switzerland is investing in advanced technologies to improve the PET recycling process. These technologies enable more efficient separation and recycling of PET bottles while maintaining the quality of the recycled plastic.

• Education and awareness-raising: Efforts to promote PET recycling also include education and awareness-raising campaigns to encourage good environmental practices among the population.

• Challenges and opportunities: Despite its success, the PET recycling system in Switzerland faces challenges, particularly in terms of increasing recycling capacity and dealing with imported plastic waste. There is also room for improvement, such as the increased use of recycled PET in products other than bottles.

To summarise, PET recycling in Switzerland is an example of effective plastic waste management made possible by an extensive collection system, advanced recycling technologies, government support, private sector involvement and strong public awareness.

Sources :

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L’article News from PET recycling in Switzerland!!! PET milk bottles!!! est apparu en premier sur Gaia Conseils.

On 24^th October 2023, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee took a crucial decision by voting in favour of the proposed amendments to the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This decision marked an important step in the overhaul of Europe’s approach to packaging waste management. Earlier, in Switzerland, the stage had been set for this crucial development with the Dobler motion. This key motion for more efficient management of packaging waste in Switzerland has been inviting those involved in waste recycling¹ to anticipate and debate the issue of plastic wastes for several months now. Together, these two initiatives underline the global urgency of tackling the environmental impact of packaging waste and pave the way for a closer examination of strategies, challenges and potential solutions in pursuit of a more sustainable future.

¹ Our last post

1. Legislative Framework:

EU PPWR: The EU PPWR is a comprehensive regulation that applies to all EU member states. It sets overarching standards and targets while allowing flexibility for member states to implement specific measures.

Swiss System: Switzerland does not have a single, EU-style regulation for packaging waste. Instead, it has a decentralized system with regulations varying between its 26 cantons. Each canton can have its own rules and regulations related to waste management, including packaging.

2. Targets and Reporting:

EU PPWR: The EU sets specific recycling and recovery targets for packaging materials across all member states. Reporting and data collection are standardized to monitor progress toward these targets.

Swiss System: Switzerland lacks uniform national targets for packaging waste recycling and recovery. Cantonal regulations may vary in terms of recycling goals and reporting requirements.

3. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):

EU PPWR: The EU PPWR places the responsibility on producers, importers, and distributors of packaged products to manage packaging waste. They contribute to the costs of collection and recycling.

Swiss System: Switzerland also adopts an EPR approach, but its implementation varies by canton. Different cantons have their own EPR systems and regulations.

4. Coordination and Industry Involvement:

EU PPWR: The EU fosters coordination among member states through a common framework. Industry stakeholders collaborate to meet targets and implement waste management systems.

Swiss System: In Switzerland, industry initiatives like the Recypac association, co-founded by companies like Nestlé, Migros, and Coop, aim to coordinate the recycling of plastic packaging. However, not all cantons may participate in such initiatives, and there may be differing opinions on their effectiveness.

5. Labeling and Consumer Information:

EU PPWR: The EU mandates labeling and information on packaging materials to guide consumers and facilitate recycling. These requirements are standardized across member states.

Swiss System: Switzerland may have its own labeling and information requirements.

6. Circular Economy Goals:

EU PPWR: The EU’s approach aligns with broader circular economy goals and strategies, aiming to minimize waste and promote sustainability.

Swiss System: Switzerland is also adopting an EPR approach, and this approach is uniform for PET drinks bottles, for example. For the rest of the plastic packaging waste, implementation varies from canton to canton. Different cantons have their own EPR systems and regulations.

In summary, the EU PPWR is a centralized and harmonized regulation that sets uniform recycling and recovery targets and places extended producer responsibility on businesses. In contrast, Switzerland’s system is decentralized, with cantons having more autonomy in waste management regulations. While Switzerland also promotes recycling and sustainability, the lack of a single national framework can result in regional variations and challenges in achieving consistency and coordination across the country. The effectiveness of industry initiatives such as Sammelsack or Leo Recycle can vary from one canton to another, and give rise to different opinions in Switzerland.

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L’article CH vs. EU for plastic packaging regulations est apparu en premier sur Gaia Conseils.

¹The landfilling of combustible waste has been banned in Switzerland since 1 January 2000. 

Here’s an overview of the plastic recycling process: 

Collection

Plastic waste is collected from various sources, such as households and businesses. The collected plastic is then transported to recycling facilities. 

Sorting

At recycling facilities, plastics are sorted into different categories based on their resin type. Common types of plastic include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and PS (polystyrene). Sorting is typically done manually or with the help of automated machines. 

Cleaning

After sorting, the plastic is cleaned to remove any contaminants, such as labels, caps, food residue, and other impurities. This is an essential step to ensure the quality of the recycled material. 

Shredding

The cleaned plastic is then shredded into small pieces or flakes. Shredding increases the surface area of the plastic, making it easier to melt and process. 

Melting and Pelletization

The shredded plastic is melted and formed into small pellets or granules. These pellets serve as the raw material for manufacturing new plastic products. 

Manufacturing

The recycled plastic pellets can be used to produce a wide range of products, such as bottles, containers, bags, toys, and more.  

Consumer Products

The recycled plastic products are sold in the market and used by consumers. These products may be labeled as “recycled” or contain a percentage of recycled material. 

It’s important to note that not all types of plastic are equally easy to recycle. For example, PET and HDPE plastics are often more readily recyclable and are commonly used in food and beverage packaging. On the other hand, plastics like PVC and mixed plastics can be more challenging to recycle due to their chemical composition. 

Efforts are ongoing to improve the recycling process, increase the use of recycled content in products, and reduce single-use plastics to minimize plastic pollution and its impact on the environment. 

Participating in recycling programs, following local recycling guidelines, and reducing plastic consumption (by using recycled resins in new products or by limiting “over-packaging” in supermarkets) are some of the ways, those can contribute to the recycling of plastic and the reduction of plastic waste. 

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L’article Recycling of plastic  est apparu en premier sur Gaia Conseils.