Legislative headwinds & Growing concern
There is growing concern (and activism) on the use of plastics in the world. There is intense research being undertaken on a quantum of plastics generated and dumped into landfills and into the sea. Activism from civil societies like Ocean Conservancy & Ellen McArthur Foundation have made regulator take notice of the magnitude of the problem.
The European Union has come out with legislation to phase out ‘single use plastics’ over the next 12 years. ‘Design Out’ methods for easy recycling of plastic packaging is planned to be implemented all across Europe. This is towards certifying packaging for its ability to easy recycling and creating circular economies. This sits on top of stringent requirements of ‘take back’ of 40% of produced plastic in Germany and elsewhere in EU.
Read Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Report on “The New Plastics Economy”