European policy change favours R-PET market but players need bolder steps
Recent legislative decisions in the European Union are pushing recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET) in the right direction, but not all markets consider them as enough steps.
On 24 October, the European Parliament approved draft plans that would result in plastic bottles being collected separately and recycled at a rate of 90% by 2025. Consequently, on 29 October, the UK government announced that it would introduce a tax on produced or imported plastic packaging that does not include at least 30% of recycled content.
While the UK’s decision would lead to an increase in demand for R-PET, the European approval could result in more upstream post-consumer PET in the market.
Both proposed actions would have a beneficial impact on the environment as well.
The UK’s recycling is often regarded in the industry as substandard, partly due to the kerb-side collection system. In March, the UK government proposed a deposit scheme in place of it and scheduled a consultation on the matter.
