The fight against single-use plastic and the promotion of the circular economy are at the center of the #Plastic-FreER strategy, an integral part of the new regional waste and reclamation plan in Emilia-Romagna. In recent days, the Regional Council approved the outcome of over a year of work, during which the Cabin directed by #Plastic-FreER met seven times in plenary session and promoted around 30 meetings of specific thematic groups activated within it. To achieve the objectives of reducing and, where possible, eliminating plastic, the Cabin has identified various intervention priorities:
- Review production and consumption processes: a paradigm shift is needed that favors the production and consumption of more sustainable goods. To this end, clearer rules and incentives are provided for companies involved in the ecological transition
- Create local supply chains: the production of goods and services at km 0, with the involvement of local companies, promotes the creation of new quality jobs and reduces the environmental impact of transport
- Promote the reuse of plastic: it is necessary to develop specific criteria to facilitate the recovery of plastic waste, preventing it from being classified as waste. This will incentivize the reuse and regeneration of these materials
- Prevent waste dispersion: a constant commitment is necessary to combat the dispersion of waste in the environment, ensuring correct disposal and recycling
- Training and information: citizenship has a fundamental role in the process of change. Promoting awareness and the adoption of virtuous behaviors is essential for an effective ecological transition
- Focus on key sectors: for the food, mechanical-electronic and tourism sectors, a specific study was carried out, with the aim of reducing the use of new raw materials and encouraging the reuse and recycling of plastic waste
The institution of the Control Room
The establishment of a control room is one of the fifteen actions of the #Plastic-FreER strategy. Its mission is to support the adoption of measures to promote a circular plastic economy, favoring reusable systems and products capable of preserving the value of materials for as long as possible, reducing waste production and pressure on environmental resources.
The control room involves 25 members, supported from time to time by experts and subjects interested in the issues. During 2021, it met seven times in plenary session and held approximately 30 thematic group meetings, involving a total of 110 subjects. The operational structure is divided into horizontal (policies and regulations, technology, economics, training and information) and vertical (food, mechanical-electronics and tourism) working groups.
The Plastics Supply Chain in Emilia-Romagna
In Emilia-Romagna, the plastics supply chain represents a significant sector of the regional economy. With 7,800 active companies and 117,000 employees, the sector constitutes 9.4% of the total companies operating in the area, generating a turnover of 42 billion euros (2019 data).
The plastics industry alone, including companies for the recovery and preparation for recycling of plastic material and companies for the treatment and disposal of other non-hazardous waste, includes 480 companies and 17,000 employees.
Food, Mechanics-Electronics and Tourism: The Proposals of the Control Room
The control room has developed specific objectives to reduce the use of plastics in three strategic sectors of the regional economy: food, mechanics-electronics and tourism.
- Food sector The working group dedicated to food placed at the center of the discussions the alternatives to disposable packaging, the strengthening and industrialization of the polystyrene recycling chain, the improvement of knowledge on the environmental impacts of biodegradable plastic mulching sheets and the traceability of waste produced by agricultural activities. In the fishing sector, the possibility of switching to shellfish farming systems without plastic and nylon nets was explored, creating a local supply chain for the recycling of those given by fishermen to port facilities. Furthermore, the need to strengthen waste collection infrastructure in ports, replace polystyrene boxes with durable and reusable alternatives, and experiment with business models based on reusable products also for takeaway/delivery was highlighted.
- Mechanics-Electronics Sector In the mechanical and electronics sector, where the high complexity of products and materials often makes recycling difficult, the invitation is to act on the eco-design of plastic products to reduce the number of polymers used in the same product; re-design plastic materials using polymers compatible with mechanical and/or chemical recycling; make use of innovative technologies for chemical recycling; promote simple and effective collection systems for the separation of plastic waste, with hybrid solutions for the different polymers; use efficient and low environmental impact technologies for the recycling and disposal of plastic products.
- Tourism sector In the tourism sector, the proposals aim for a system of discounts on waste bills for businesses actively engaged in reducing single-use plastics, without increasing the production of waste from other materials. Another central theme is to encourage the birth and consolidation of new companies (and new supply chains) centered on sharing, i.e. sharing or renting rather than purchasing new products. This includes, for example, the use of reusable containers for the takeaway of food and drink in the catering sector, or for the distribution of non-food products.
