Banning plastic for the benefit of the environment

by FESPA | 12/03/2018
Banning plastic for the benefit of the environment

Laurel Brunner discusses the necessity to ban plastic in order to save and preserve the environment and the measures countries are taking to do so.

First China, now Europe are taking large steps to clean the environment and by doing so their actions may create opportunities in the graphics industry or be another nail in the sector’s coffin. Opportunities exist if both packaging printers and brand owners get involved and take the lead in the recycling discussion. The fact that certain materials are hard to recycle should act as a prompt to supply chains to be more inventive regarding the materials they use and their impact on the environment. A great start would be to launch a public awareness campaign demonstrating which plastics can be recycled and how.

China has now banned imports of foreign recyclable materials to stop “foreign trash” or “yang laji” entering China. This ban applies to 24 waste categories and includes textiles, plastics and mixed paper.

During 2017, 7.3 million metric tonnes of plastic was shipped to China to be used in manufacturing from developed economies including the UK, EU, USA and Japan. China is the world’s largest manufacturer and imports more waste for recycling than any other country. Currently China is working on its own procedures for recycling. Other countries cannot sell recyclates to China and will need to produce new recycling business models. China’s Ministry of Environment Protection has commented that “we discovered that large amounts of dirty wastes or even hazardous wastes are mixed in with the solid waste that can be utilised as raw materials, which has seriously polluted the environment.”

The European Union (EU) has sent 87% of its collected plastic to China andis now making optimistic changes. The EU are aiming for all plastic in its community to be reusable or recyclable by the year 2030. Presently only 30% of the 25 million tonnes that is generated is collected for incineration or recycling. The EU's strategy is to modernise plastic production, taxes and the investment of €350 million into research that covers new approaches to collection. This will be an opportunity for the packaging industry and companies supplying it to create innovative ideas to solve process management problems and quality control to offer technological innovation.

Taxation requires impact assessments and extensive discussions about how and who to tax. Taxation is fundamentally a license to evade good practice which has been a portion of the issue all along. But 2030 is not that far away. EU Vice President, Frans Timmermans has commented that “the immediate target is single-use plastics and shifting people’s behaviour. Single-use plastics that take 5 seconds to be produced, you only use it for 5 minutes but it takes up to 500 years to break down again.”

Materials such as plastic straws, stirrers, lids, cups and other types of containers and packaging take a long time to biodegrade or simply don’t biodegrade at all. By 2030 the EU are hoping that 55% of all plastic will be recycled which will impact graphics technologies such as finishing system and digital presses which will have to be able to process new materials. Print companies will be forced to invest in these new technologies if they wish to keep brand customers on side. Now is the time to act.

Source: This article was produced by the Verdigris project, an industry initiative intended to raise awareness of print’s positive environmental impact. This commentary helps printing companies keep up to date with environmental standards, and how environmentally friendly business management can help improve their bottom lines. Verdigris is supported by the following companies: Agfa Graphics, Spindrift.click, EFI, FESPA, HP, Kodak, Kornit Digital, Ricoh, Splash PR, Unity Publishing and Xeikon.

by FESPA Back to News

Topics

Interested in joining our community?

Enquire today about joining your local FESPA Association or FESPA Direct

Enquire Today

Recent news

Special Effects in DTF Will Make Your “Prints” More Memorable
Substrates

Special Effects in DTF Will Make Your “Prints” More Memorable

The DTF market is expanding with new vendors and innovations like multi-head printers enabling diverse ink options (spot, neon). Decorative films offer streamlined special effects. Keypoint Intelligence tested metallic and glitter films, noting varied ease of use and wash durability. New technology using adhesive and foil directly promises further creative advancements in DTF.

24-04-2025
SmartHub – Expectations, opportunities and why you should attend!
Personalisation

SmartHub – Expectations, opportunities and why you should attend!

The SmartHub at Personalisation Experience 2025 in Berlin will showcase personalisation and smart production opportunities across industries like textiles. Featuring a Smart Factory Trail with brands like Inkcups and Trotec, and a conference with experts discussing AI, mass customisation, and profit strategies, it offers insights into reducing waste and boosting efficiency through digital methods. Panel sessions will explore growth, automation in textiles, and smart manufacturing.

24-04-2025
How is AI revolutionising Large Format Print?
AI

How is AI revolutionising Large Format Print?

Nessan Clearly discusses how AI in print relies on data pattern matching, already enhancing software for large format providers. He predicts that this will result in increased AI integration in workflow planning, job queue management, colour correction, image upscaling, and predictive maintenance via sensors and vision systems, ultimately streamlining operations and offering greater flexibility.

24-04-2025
One Ink for All? Exploring Pigment in Textile Printing
Inks

One Ink for All? Exploring Pigment in Textile Printing

Digital textile printing faces complexity due to diverse substrates requiring specific inks. The industry seeks a universal ink, with pigment ink showing potential. While traditionally for natural fibres, advancements aim to broaden its application, simplify processes by reducing pre/post-treatment, and improve sustainability, though challenges like hand feel on garments remain.

23-04-2025