NL CPB: Collecting more plastic does not bring much benefit

Initiatives to further increase the amount of collected plastic waste from households – like the Dutch ‘plastic heroes' – do not automatically lead to extra environmental benefit. More emphasis on the quality of the plastic instead of the quantity of the collected plastic could increase the environmental benefits. This is stated the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis in a recent report.
The plastic recycling policy is strongly focused on increasing the amount of collected material. This can lead to large stocks of base materials with limited use, which will eventually lead to the separated waste being incinerated after all (Press Release CPB, 20 September 2017).
Click here for the press release (in Dutch).
Click here for the publication (in Dutch, 1.29 MB).
Click here for more information about the NVC Project PUMA: the end of packaging as an environmental issue. You are welcome to join us for the next project meeting on 4 April 2018.

This news item is also included in our monthly overview, the NVC Members-only Update. If you have any questions, please contact us: info@nvc.nl, +31-(0)182-512411.