Joan Marc Simon’s Post

Time to face the facts! 📉 Zero Waste Europe's latest report reveals the shocking truth about Spain’s plastic recycling statistics. The actual collection rate for small plastic bottles is only 36%, far below the 70% target! 🔍 What’s worse…this may be true across the EU! It's time to act now and introduce a #DepositReturnSystem to bridge this gap.  Check out the latest report here, press release in the comments 👇

"Plastic recycling will save us all - just look at the numbers!", they say. Yeah, I'm looking at the numbers and I cry false advertising. In Spain, the company responsible for packaging waste management Ecoembes was found to manipulate data on the separate collection of plastic bottles. The Spanish legal target: 70% Their claimed 2021 rate: 71% Their real 2021 rate: 36% This is a slap in the face of consumers and authorities - and a real obstacle to zero waste policies, which are often postponed or blocked by such "evidence" of "amazing" figures. Zero Waste Europe will bring these findings to the European Commission as further proof that the time to implement zero waste measures - such as Deposit Return Schemes - is now (in fact, doing it yesterday was already crucial). You have my two environmental/zero waste cents above. My two Comms cents? Stop lying to your audiences. Your profit may benefit in the short term but your reputation will be in shambles for a very long time - which means your long term profits will too.

The importance of civil society right here. Rules are important, they give us grounds to assess how well the system works. But not always can the authorities stay ahead of the game, and unfortunately, private sector is hardly ever the more transparent and ambitious partner to sustainable efforts. When we, the citizens, see downright injustice and fraud, this is when the true value of having a well functioning civil society proves its value.

📉 Busted! Spain's plastic collection rate isn't 71%—it's a dismal 36%! 💔 The solution? A #DepositReturnSystem that actually works. Let’s make it happen! 💪🌍 Get the full details in our latest report, which reveals the truth behind Spain's inflated recycling statistics. Read more 👉 https://zurl.co/Nerc

New report reveals that Spain’s plastic bottle separate collection rate is a mere 36%, far below the 71% claimed by Ecoembes and the 70% target mandated by Spanish law for 2023. This revelation comes from a detailed report by Eunomia, commissioned by Zero Waste Europe and the Spanish Zero Waste Alliance, highlighting the urgent need for a Deposit Return System (#DRS) to meet legal recycling targets and address data transparency issues. https://lnkd.in/dE7z_jdE #recycling #reuse #circulareconomy #SUP #wastemanagement

Recycling Reality Check for Spain According to a recent study by Eunomia Research and Consulting and Reloop, Spain's actual collection rate for plastic beverage bottles is 36%, significantly lower than the reported 71%. With the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive setting ambitious targets of 70% by 2023 and 77% by 2025, the study recommends the urgent implementation of a Deposit Return System (DRS). This proven method could help Spain achieve its recycling goals and avoid potential legal and financial repercussions. Learn more about this critical issue - https://lnkd.in/eduqzCCr #Sustainability #Recycling #ESG

♻️ Spain accelerates action on plastic waste with deposit return systems (DRS). A recent government report revealed that only 41.3% of single-use PET bottles are currently collected in Spain—far short of the SUPD targets (77% by 2025, 90% by 2029). In response, the Spanish government plans to roll out a DRS for PET bottles, cans, and beverage cartons within two years. This system aims to close the gap and ensure compliance with EU environmental standards. 🌍 Why it’s crucial: The upcoming DRS signals Spain’s recognition of the urgent need to reduce waste, increase recycling, and contribute to a more sustainable future. By adopting this system, Spain joins the growing number of countries prioritizing the circular economy. #DRSInSpain #SustainabilityMatters #CircularEconomy #PlasticRecycling #EUEnvironmentalGoals

Really, is this possible? Companies make investment decisions based on the stated collection rates. If the collection is not there, how would people recycle? We need a robust data system in all Asian countries as well. With the informal collection system and lack of MRFs coupled with many small unregistered recycling plants, we have no clue about the actual collection rates as well. With an EPR based data system, we can make much more meaningful regulations which can improve the recycling rates. Right now, even the regulators are shooting in the dark without any measurement. Traceability should be given more importance than is being done. EcoBlue maintains end to end traceability of materials.

A fundamental problem of EU waste policy is the lack of reliable and timely data. For example, the latest investigation by the European Court of Auditors revealed significant differences in the calculation of #plasticpackaging #recycling rates in the EU member states. The most recent official recycling figures are for 2021 and were published a year ago. Therefore, everyone was eagerly awaiting this month's Eurostat publication, in which the figures for 2022 were expected. Unfortunately, this expectation was disappointed: Eurostat only published minor corrections to the 2021 figures. 🥇 As reported, Slovakia is still the frontrunner with 60% recycled plastic packaging, although it uses a somehow different definition. Slovenia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Bulgaria form the leading group (over 45%) while Spain fell back slightly (from 46% to 44%) due to the current correction. There were no changes in the field of followers. Hungary managed to catch up with the midfield (corrected from 25% to 27%) 👏. Unfortunately, up-to-date figures from Poland are still missing. ♻ Overall, it can be said that in many member states, recycling rates for plastic packaging have indeed increased significantly and are generally higher than politicians and the general public believe. To create a better understanding of the reality of plastic recycling, more timely publication of recycling figures would be very important. #PPWR #CircularEconomy

Plastic Recycling Services Market Size to Boost at 8.20% CAGR https://lnkd.in/dUNKJJjD Plastic recycling is the process of collecting and processing plastic waste to develop new products. This involves breaking down used plastic items, cleaning them, and then reprocessing them into raw materials that can be used to manufacture new plastic goods. The aim is to minimize plastic waste, conserve resources, and reduce environmental impact. The plastic recycling is either done by mechanical process or chemical process. Mechanical process plastic recycling involves physically breaking down plastic waste into smaller pieces without altering the chemical structure of the plastic. This typically includes steps like sorting, shredding, washing, and melting the plastic. The resulting pellets can then be used to create new products. This method is efficient and widely used, as it helps reduce the amount of plastic waste and conserves resources. Chemical plastic recycling is a process that breaks down plastic materials into their fundamental chemical components. This method differs from mechanical recycling, which reprocesses plastics without changing their chemical structure. Plastic recycling services encompass a range of activities aimed at collecting, processing, and repurposing plastic waste. Plastic recycling services play a crucial role in reducing landfill waste, conserving resources, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic production. By promoting recycling, these services contribute to a circular economy where materials are reused rather than discarded. In summary, plastic recycling services are vital for managing plastic waste, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable practices in product development and consumption.