The European Commission aims to achieve a circular economy by 2050. In addition, it wants to play a pioneering role compared to the rest of the world. To achieve these goals, the European Commission has promulgated several measures, such as the New Circular Economy Action Plan, the revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and the Packaging Directive. These include an obligation that stipulates that 55% of plastic must be recycled by 2030. It is also mandatory from 2030 to use more recycled plastic in packaging, also known as the blending obligation.
The Netherlands wants to lead the way and have these rules take effect as early as 2027. This should provide a good starting point for the recycling industry, but right now nothing could be further from the truth. The recycling industry is firmly under pressure, and that while there is an important role for this industry in achieving the 2050 goals.
