This pilot project, as part of the realCYCLE project enabled by the Migros Pioneer Fund, is being designed and implemented jointly with stakeholders in the plastics value chain. The overarching theme of realCYCLE is to understand and align the entire value chain of plastic packaging as a closed loop. The systemic requirements and framework conditions for scalability are being investigated, and concrete opportunities are being identified to enable a comprehensive and sustainable plastics circular economy in Switzerland.
We are addressing the following key questions:
- Can a recyclate in food quality with processing properties like virgin material be achieved through single-variety recycling?
- Can this recycling and processing operation be carried out in Switzerland? Or where and how can recycling be carried out alternatively?
- Is a permit for this material (recyclate) by the Swiss authorities (or possibly the EU) possible within the scope of the project?
- What requirements must the collection and sorting meet, or what is practically feasible and sensible? Can the required recyclate quality also be achieved and guaranteed with a possible mixed collection of plastics?
Objective of the pilot project
This project was brought to us by Emmi Schweiz AG. Using the example of the Café Latte cup (polypropylene PP as the main plastic), the fundamental aim is to clarify whether and how a closed material cycle for PP food packaging is possible and practical using mechanical recycling processes. The challenge lies in the fact that this is food contact packaging, and there are strict standards and restrictive regulations in this area with regard to recycling and recyclate quality. The goal is to be able to reuse the recyclate for the production of new PP food packaging (keywords «closed-loop» or «food-to-food»).
The findings from this pilot project should be scalable and therefore applicable to various PP packaging from the food sector, in addition to cups, also to trays and containers. It is also conceivable that individual aspects and indicators of this project can be transferred to other, widely used food packaging, such as PET trays.
What we are currently working on
The pilot project is becoming increasingly concrete. The project group has decided to carry out practical «small-scale» tests in order to examine and analyze the recyclability of PP packaging more closely under laboratory or pilot plant conditions. For this purpose, we are working together with the Kunststoff Ausbildungs- und Technologie-Zentrum KATZ (Plastics Training and Technology Center).
In an initial experiment, using Emmi's Caffè Latte cup as an example, the technical feasibility of repeatedly closing the cup cycle in several cycles will be investigated. The focus here is on the analysis of the material-specific properties and the technical feasibility of the cycle.
Further analogous experiments are planned with
- Admixtures of various thermoformed PP packaging
- Admixtures of IML and printed PP packaging, without barriers
- Admixtures of colored IML packaging
- Admixtures of IML and printed PP packaging, with barriers
As soon as these small-scale tests have started or the first findings are available, we will provide further information.