![Page 1: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Gearing product design
towards minimum
plastic waste and
maximum recyclability
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2013
![Page 2: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
What is EEB?EEB: the environmental voice of
European citizens
We stand for environmental
justice, sustainable
development and participatory
democracy.
Our aim is to ensure the EU
secures a healthy environment
and rich biodiversity for all.
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2013
![Page 3: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
What are we talking about?
Moving towards a resources efficient economy=
Decoupling resource consumption and environmental impacts from growth
Question:
How Ecodesign & Extended Producer Responsibility may contribute to
minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability?
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2013
![Page 4: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Pacific Gyresix times more plastic
than plankton
![Page 5: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Source: European Commission
• Standard waste hierarchy
Moving up the hierarchy-
beyond end of pipe solutions
• Acting upper step
![Page 6: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Linking Products & Waste policies
�The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
�80% of the environmental
impacts of products
are determined at design stage
�Possible to optimise end of life
without shifting the burden
to other life stage
�Complementary instruments:
legal requirements + market
instrument
�Synergetic effects:
e.g:reusability/durability save on
waste / reuse & recycling save
on natural resources and CO2
http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/RONA-
product-life-cycle-graphic.JPG
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2013
![Page 7: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Ecodesign
Ecodesign means simply to integrate environmental concerns as soon as the
design stage of the product…
DIRECTIVE 2009/125/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 21
October 2009 establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for
energy-related products (recast)
Ecodesign in Packaging⇒Essential requirements equivalent to ecodesign requirements for packaging
⇒Need to revise the essential requirements …together with P&PW targets
⇒They are now statu quo and hard to enforce
![Page 8: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Example of Ecodesign requirements
for plastic recyclability
EEB Ecodesign /EPR for RE RWM Birmingham - 09/2012
Potential Requirement: Minimum threshold of the Recyclability rate index for plastics of the
LCD-TV
The Recyclability rate index for plastics of the LCD-TV shall be higher than 80%.
Verification:
Manufacturer shall provide a declaration of the Recyclability rate index of the product with the
calculation datasheets and additional technical documentation, in accordance with guidance
documents
Source: JRC report N°2 08/2012
![Page 9: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
EEB Ecodesign /EPR for RE RWM Birmingham - 09/2012
Examples of Ecodesign for packaging
![Page 10: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
Source: www.cleanproduction.org
Address toxics in plastics
De-toxification of material
Easier and more cost-effective material recycling
![Page 11: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Extended Producer Responsibility
EPR is an environmental policy approach in which a producer’s responsibility for
a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a product’s life cycle (OECD)
It is also a EU Waste policy instrument,
under the spotlight at the moment as
considered a crucial tool to move towards
resources efficiency (= enabling cost
internalisation of end of life externalities).
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2012
![Page 12: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
The role of economic instruments to
enhance ecodesign
Implementing EPR: a matter of national legislationNo EU harmonization => guidance in project on best patterns for ERP schemes
No EU harmonization => complaints by producers about « administrative burden « of variety
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2013
Differentiated EPR chargesCharges should reflect the real end of life costs – noticeably in relation to chemical contents or
potential risks linked to environmental impact
PAY-AS-YOU-THROW Schemes
DEPOSIT-REFUND Systems
Taxation
Diversified taxes would help to create more incentives for ecodesign
![Page 13: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Differentiated EPR for hazardous substancesThe French example to reward hazardous substances minimization:
modulating the contribution of producers to take back schemes
Brominated FR
NO YES
Brominated FR
Or Hg Lamp
High GWP HFC
1€ 1,20 €
0,3€ 0,36 €
13€ 15,60 €
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2013
![Page 14: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Examples of possible « mutual
reinforcement » btw Ecodesign and EPR
Ecodesign/Ess Req EPR
3
2
[cm³]goodspackedofvolume
[cm²]packagingofsurface3,2 >
Max ratio btw
pack surface & product volumeDifferentiation
according to
recyclability of plastic
E.g: uniform plastic type/
Hazardous contents
Differentiation
according to
hazardous contents/
Br Flame retardants
Min. Energy efficiency
Max dissassembly time for material
Min. recyclability of plastics
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2013
![Page 15: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Summary of the main points
1. Plastics MUST be designed with 3 Rs in mind:- reduce, reuse, recycle
2. They MUST NOT contain substances that unduly endanger human health, environment and quality of recycling.
3. Plastic products should include plastic marking, disassembly and recycling guidelines
4. Set a minimum content of recycled plastic (to create a solid market that demands plastic to be fed to recycling plants).
5. Certification for plastic waste recycling facilities to mitigate the trend to exporting to substandard treatment
![Page 16: Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability · · 2013-07-16Gearing product design towards minimum plastic waste and maximum recyclability EEB](https://reader033.vdocuments.us/reader033/viewer/2022051602/5b00362b7f8b9a89598c490c/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Thanks for attention
Contact:
EEB – European Strategy on Plastic Waste - EESC - 15/07/2013