Since the beginning of 2021, stakeholders along the entire value chain have been committed to a closed loop for polystyrene (PS) food packaging. PS exhibits a similarly low diffusion capacity to PET and therefore hardly absorbs any pollutants. In addition, PS in the field of food packaging is primarily used for dairy products such as yogurts, which facilitates the identification of food contact materials. Therefore, PS, like PET, is fundamentally suitable for closed loops.
Thanks to the scientific work on PS, the preparatory work in Switzerland and the networking of stakeholders along the value chain (producers, distributors, retailers, sorters and collectors), the system is now ready to take the next step and use polystyrene recyclate (rPS) in food contact materials. The corresponding approval was applied for in February 2024 from the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV).
We were able to take a leading role in this project. Based on the preliminary work of the Round Table «Closing the Loop for PS Switzerland» (which we have been leading since 2021), we were able to develop the BLV application in a follow-up assignment. This project includes the compilation of the necessary technical documentation for submitting the application to the BLV for food approval of rPS. The documentation includes detailed process descriptions of all processes used, a risk assessment and a quality assurance system.
In addition to the existing challenge tests from the EU, various tests were carried out, all of which confirmed the safety of the material. The preparation of the documentation also included discussions with the BLV and numerous relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, the technical implementation geared towards food approval was discussed, defined and described in close cooperation with InnoPlastics AG.
As the primary point of contact for the FOPH, we are actively involved in answering the questions. If you also have any questions, please contact us!
The use of secondary material as a substitute for virgin plastic conserves resources and saves energy. A study on the ecological benefits of polystyrene was prepared by the European umbrella organization (Styrenics Circular Solutions, SCS) and a publication is expected shortly. For reuse, however, we are also dependent on consumers, as they are responsible for returning the material for recycling. It is therefore important to make the population aware that collecting plastics is useful and important.