ECOS works to cut our global plastic footprint and ensure clean material loops in a circular plastics economy by engaging in standards and related policy developments. We contribute to policy developments related to plastics in order to push for an absolute reduction of our plastic footprint. We believe that plastic products should be clean and circular by design, and that they can be recycled into new products. We also help develop test methods, criteria and regulatory targets to dramatically reduce microplastics emissions into the environment. As standards shape the essential part of the European and global markets for plastics, ECOS also contributes to standardisation workin order to foster net environmental benefits. The more robust and ambitious the standards in the plastics field, the better the overall environmental performance of plastics and the lower the overall pollution level of the sector.
Simple reusable solutions to throwaway plastic cups, plates, cutlery and takeaway boxes are working across Europe – but need governments’ backing to take off and power the #ReuseRevolution.
On September 24, in Brussels, DG Research and Innovation (European Commission) organised a meeting session on "The Future of Plastics". ECOS Head of Circular Economy Policy, Doreen Fedrigo was invited to speak about the impact of plastics on humans and the environment.
During a high level event held today, the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA) signed a voluntary declaration to support the supply and demand of recycled plastic on the European market. ECOS, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) ultimately decided not to sign the declaration, given the regrettable lack of ambition, transparency and NGO involvement in the drafting of the declaration - however they did acknowledge the need to ramp up the collection and recycling of plastics in general.
The report offers a comprehensive analysis of the existing policy tools, and makes four policy recommendations to drive a more environmentally-sound design of plastic and products containing plastic in a circular economy.
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