Symposium "Innovative Approaches to Handle Plastic Waste: towards a more circular economy"
28 September 2023
We would like to warmly invite you to join the Symposium “Innovative Approaches to Handle Plastic Waste: towards a more circular economy” that will take place online, on 10th October 2023, from 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Plastic waste is a major problem in Europe. It has been estimated that every year between 5 and 13 million metric tons of plastic waste ends up in our oceans and contributes significantly to pollution, and the problem is expected to get worse in the near future.
The European Commission has taken several steps to reduce plastic pollution and increase plastic waste management, including the adoption of the Single-Use Plastic Directive in 2019, which bans 10 single-use plastic items, including cutlery, plates, and straws. The Directive also requires that beverage containers made from plastic be labeled with a requirement of covering the percentage of recyclable material used.
Other initiatives, such as awareness-raising campaigns and improved recycling infrastructure, are also being implemented to better manage plastic waste in Europe.
But despite the current positive trends, plastic pollution is a big problem and still poses a threat to the safety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. There is thus an urgent need for additional measures to handle plastic waste.
The Symposium is aimed at introducing initiatives aimed at handling plastic waste in Europe. It provides a unique opportunity for presentations on current projects, new methods, company products and innovative ways to handle plastic waste and the many environmental and socio-economic impacts associated with it.