The recycling of plastics is crucial to reduce the environmental impact of the corresponding packaging. It is essential that not only post-consumer packaging is fed into the recycling system, but also that the secondary polymer can replace primary material. And this is exactly what we are working on: From the Round Table «Closed Loop for PS Switzerland» led by us, an application for the use of recycled polystyrene (PS) in food contact materials could be submitted in February 2024. If approved by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV), closed loops would be enabled and the risk of not being able to use recyclate would be significantly reduced.
The application was developed in close cooperation with various stakeholders in the value chain, whereby our role was central: In order to close the PS cycle also for food contact materials, we have prepared the technical dossier in cooperation with the industry. This includes a detailed description of all processes used, a risk assessment and a quality assurance system, which is intended to ensure safe use in the long term. At the same time, cooperation across the value chain was further developed, thereby removing barriers to implementation.
This significant step towards sustainability and towards a circular plastics economy was not taken without critical consideration: The use of recyclate requires its sufficient purity or the absence of substances that could be dangerous to humans and/or the environment. Numerous tests in the EU and Switzerland, as well as scientific studies confirming the safe use of rPS with a recyclate content of up to 100% in food contact materials, served as the basis for the submitted application. These tests and studies have already led to corresponding applications in the EU for the recycling of polystyrene as a «novel technology» within the framework of Regulation 2022/1616.
More background information on the project can be found here.