A recycler’s perspective on the implications of REACH and food contact material (FCM) regulations for the mechanical recycling of FCM plastics

The circular economy can contribute to the eco-efficient use of resources. Firms can obtain relevant benefits if they implement a circular economy. In Peru, the circular economy would create benefits, but it is not fully clear what factors explain the acceptance of firms of implementing a circular economy. Following the theory of planned behavior, the current research assesses the influence of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral norms, intentions, and pressures on behaviors towards the circular economy. A total of 71 medium-size firms based in Peru participated in an online survey. Six questions were focused on general information, and forty-seven questions evaluated the circular economy behavior of firms. A partial least square structural equation modeling technical analysis was used. It was found that attitudes (0.144), subjective norms (0.133), and perceived behavioral control (0.578) had a positive influence on intentions; also, perceived behavioral control (0.461) had a positive influence on behaviors towards the circular economy. Finally, pressures had a positive influence (0.162) on behaviors towards the circular economy. The model explained 64.3% of the behaviors towards the circular economy. The outcomes of the bootstrapping test were used to evaluate if the path coefficients are significant. This study showed that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral norms, intentions, and pressures explained circular economy behaviors. This information can help firms develop strategies to move forward a circular economy and provide governments information about the current situation of circular economy implementation to generate new norms and strategies for more implementation of circular economy measures in enterprises. The novelty is based on using the PLS-SEM technique.

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“…This aspect shows a clear responsibility. In some countries, there are regulations to take care of plastic products [109][110][111].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors for Implementation of Circular Economy in Firms in COVID-19 Pandemic Times: The Case of Peru

et al. 2021

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“…Therefore, Organizations such as the European Chemical Agency came with strategies to protect human health by heavily regulation the use of chemicals. This ensures control through the identification of hazardous substances and monitoring [ 119 ].…”

Section: Heavy Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Contamination Pathways and the Food Safety Implications along the Various Stages of Food Production: A Review

Lebelo

Malebo

Mochane

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Historically, chemicals exceeding maximum allowable exposure levels have been disastrous to underdeveloped countries. The global food industry is primarily affected by toxic chemical substances because of natural and anthropogenic factors. Food safety is therefore threatened due to contamination by chemicals throughout the various stages of food production. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the form of pesticides and other chemical substances such as Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have a widely documented negative impact due to their long-lasting effect on the environment. This present review focuses on the chemical contamination pathways along the various stages of food production until the food reaches the consumer. The contamination of food can stem from various sources such as the agricultural sector and pollution from industrialized regions through the air, water, and soil. Therefore, it is imperative to control the application of chemicals during food packaging, the application of pesticides, and antibiotics in the food industry to prevent undesired residues on foodstuffs. Ultimately, the protection of consumers from food-related chemical toxicity depends on stringent efforts from regulatory authorities both in developed and underdeveloped nations.

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“…This sector is, however, dominated by food packaging, where food safety concerns lead to stringent regulations for FCM. Achieving FCM approval is often more a regulatory concern than an actual technical one [8]. In many cases, FCM grade can be achieved from a technical perspective (contamination levels, migration limits), but formal approvals are extremely challenging to obtain.…”

Section: Recycled Plastic Marketsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The classification made is based on technical requirements and quality of the recycled goods and does not take legislative aspects into account, as these are subject to rapid evolution. Currently, food-grade recycling is almost exclusively authorized in the EU for bottle PET, but it is expected that similar authorizations will follow for PP, HDPE and LDPE [8].…”

Section: Appendix A4 Equations To Calculate the Separately Collected Amount Of Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The more heterogeneous PI-PPW and post-consumer plastic packaging waste (PC-PPW) are connected to a network of sorting and recycling facilities and generate various types of recycled plastics that are often blends of polymers and are often only applicable in non-food packaging and non-packaging applications. Currently, only a small share of food packages are recycled into food-grade recycled plastics, which is to a large degree determined by legislative constraints [8]. Well-known are the post-consumer polyethene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles which are recycled to food-grade PET bottles and trays [9,10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Technical Limits in Circularity for Plastic Packages

et al. 2020

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The current Dutch recycling value chain for plastic packaging waste (PPW) has not reached its full circularity potential, as is apparent from two Circular Performance Indicators (CPIs): net packaging recycling rate and average polymer purity of the recycled plastics. The performance of the recycling value chain can be optimised at four stages: packaging design, collection, sorting, and recycling. This study explores the maximally achievable performance of a circular PPW recycling value chain, in case all stakeholders would implement the required radical improvement measures in a concerted action. The effects of the measures were modelled with material flow analysis. For such a utopic scenario, a net plastic packaging recycling rate of 72% can be attained and the produced recycled plastics will have an average polymeric purity of 97%. This is substantially more than the net packaging recycling rate of 37% for 2017 and will exceed the EU target of 50% for 2025. In such an ideal circular value chain more recycled plastics are produced for more demanding applications, such as food packaging, compared to the current recycling value chain. However, all stakeholders would need to implement drastic and coordinated changes, signifying unprecedented investments, to achieve this optimal circular PPW recycling value chain.

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A recycler’s perspective on the implications of REACH and food contact material (FCM) regulations for the mechanical recycling of FCM plastics

Cited by 63 publications

References 13 publications

Factors for Implementation of Circular Economy in Firms in COVID-19 Pandemic Times: The Case of Peru

Factors for Implementation of Circular Economy in Firms in COVID-19 Pandemic Times: The Case of Peru

Chemical Contamination Pathways and the Food Safety Implications along the Various Stages of Food Production: A Review

Technical Limits in Circularity for Plastic Packages

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