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The European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) introduces the PET Circularity Test — a pioneering tool that simulates multiple recycling loops

 

The European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) introduces the PET Circularity Test — a pioneering tool that simulates multiple recycling loops

The European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP), a leading industry initiative dedicated to advancing the circular economy within the PET bottle value chain, is pleased to announce the launch of its Circularity Test Protocol. This new protocol marks a pivotal milestone in supporting the PET value chain efforts toward sustainable development and resource efficiency.

 

Meeting ambitious environmental goals

The launch of the Circularity Test Protocol provides industry stakeholders with a powerful tool to meet ambitious environmental targets. EPBP’s Design for Recyclability Test Protocol already aligns with the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Circularity Test Protocol can be seen as the next evolution towards true circularity.

“With this new protocol, EPBP reinforces its commitment to fostering sustainable packaging innovations that embody true circularity,” said Antoon Spiessens, co-chair of EPBP representing UNESDA.

“This protocol offers industry stakeholders a reliable framework to assess and improve the circularity of PET bottles during their R&D phase,” said John McClelland, co-chair of EPBP representing PETCORE EUROPE.

 

Advancing circularity in PET recycling
Circularity is defined as maximising resource use, minimising waste, extending product lifespans and enabling effective recycling, and forms the cornerstone of European Union (EU) policies and packaging legislation. The Circularity Test Protocol is designed to simulate multiple recycling loops and better address the evolving needs of the PET industry as the content of recycled PET (rPET) increases under EU policies and associated legislation.

 

Transitioning to the Circularity Test Protocol

EPBP will initially offer both test protocols to applicants seeking a recyclability or circularity assessment. EPBP will collaborate with relevant stakeholders to establish a transition period for the newly developed PET Circularity Protocol and its associated design guidelines. This transition period will enable the industry to prepare for the new design-for-circularity guidelines. These will be announced by EPBP in the near future.

During this transition period, applicants may choose whether to validate their packaging innovations based on either the recyclability or circularity protocols. However, EPBP strongly encourages applicants to begin adopting the circularity protocol. Innovations successfully validated under the recyclability protocol may face challenges when reassessed against the circularity protocol, emphasizing the importance of early adoption.

For over 17 years, EPBP has played a vital role in providing design-for-recycling (DfR) guidelines and evaluating innovative PET bottle packaging solutions based on the PET Recyclability Test Protocol to ensure the production of high-quality recycled PET (rPET). EPBP is proud to be a liaison organisation with the Technical Committee on Packaging within the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). EPBP actively contributes to the development of standards and the exchange of best practices across the industry. Evolving the PET test protocol from recyclability to circularity will provide the value chain with a clearer direction in the future, considering the reality of multi-loop recycling.

EPBP remains dedicated to facilitating the understanding and adoption of PET innovations that support recycling efficiency, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

****ENDS****

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Current water challenges

We cannot deny the current water challenges our world is facing. We are experiencing increased water scarcity, with demands for safe, usable water exceeding supply in many areas, including in Europe. 

  • Freshwater use has been growing by about 1% per year since the 1980s and as water demand is expected to continue increasing at a similar rate until 2050, this will account for an increase of 20 to 30% above the current level of water use1.
  • This increase in water demand is leading to a reduction of renewable water resources of 24% per capita in Europe2. 
  • Around 30% of the European population lives in areas with permanent water stress and up to 70% live in areas with seasonal water stress during summer3.
  • Europe’s aquatic ecosystems are severely degraded: only 17% of protected river, lake, alluvial, and riparian habitats are in good conservation status and 90% of protected wetland habitats are classified as poor or bad4.
  • Globally, 85% of wetlands have been lost in the last 300 years, with more than 50% lost since 19905. This is particularly critical as wetlands play an important role in filtering water and removing pollutants, as well as providing shelter to wildlife and capturing carbon.

 

This situation entails severe risks for the world’s population. 

  • For the last decade, the World Economic Forum has placed water-related risks among the world’s top five in its annual Global Risks Report. 
  • Water-related disasters have also dominated the list of disasters over the past 50 years and account for 70% of all deaths related to natural disasters6.
  • Nearly 95% of infrastructure loss and damage reported between 2010 to 2019 were due to water-related disasters7. 
  • More frequent and intensive flooding has cost lives and livelihoods across Europe, while at the same time, more than 50% of the continent has, in recent years, been affected by extreme drought conditions, which also breed a range of negative social, economic and human outcomes8.

A situation driven by a combination of factors

The deterioration of the natural water cycle stems from a confluence of factors: growing urbanisation, growing populations, increased consumption, poor management, pollution, lack of or damaged infrastructure, and climate change.  

Agriculture was responsible for 59% of total freshwater use in Europe in 20179, while industrial and domestic uses are the main drivers of increasing water demand. Indeed, as economies industrialise, populations urbanise and water supply and sanitation systems expand. 

Additionally, rising temperatures and more extreme weather patterns are causing more droughts and flooding. Climate variability is also bringing more uncertainty as to the availability, predictability and geographical distribution of water. Water and climate change are inextricably linked. From unpredictable rainfall patterns to shrinking ice sheets, rising sea levels, floods and droughts – most impacts of climate change come down to water (UN Water). 

1 Chart of Global Fresh Water Use 1901-2014 – The Global Education Project

2 Water use in Europe — Quantity and quality face big challenges — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)Chart of Global Fresh Water Use 1901-2014 – The Global Education Project

3 Water stress is a major and growing concern in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)

4 Europe’s state of water 2024: the need for improved water resilience | European Environment Agency’s home page (europa.eu)Water stress is a major and growing concern in Europe — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)

5 Innovative Solutions Needed for Wetlands in Crisis – SDG Knowledge Hub (iisd.org)

6 Water Resources Management Overview: Development news, research, data | World Bank Innovative Solutions Needed for Wetlands in Crisis – SDG Knowledge Hub (iisd.org)

7 Water risks and resilience (undrr.org)

8 Risks and solutions: how climate change is impacting our water and health | European Environment Agency’s home page (europa.eu)

9 Water scarcity conditions in Europe (Water exploitation index plus) | European Environment Agency’s home page (europa.eu)Risks and solutions: how climate change is impacting our water and health | European Environment Agency’s home page (europa.eu)