Statement on Plastic Litter
We are conscious that plastic pollution is a global issue and thus requires global solutions but “every bits count” and as an element of the value chain that leads to plastic pollution, RETAL feels responsible to contribute to solving this global issue in any way we can by promoting and fostering plastic circular economy: plastic packaging and PET packaging in particular, are recyclable material that still have a high economic value after their first use.
To that end, in 2018 we have created an internal working group to identify the different opportunities for action considering the whole life cycle of our products, from raising awareness to acquiring a recycling plant or implementing collection schemes.
In 2019 we will select and start implementing the most relevant and impactful lines of action taking into account RETAL’s size and position in our value chain as well as the development of legal frameworks such as the Directive on Single Use Plastics in the European Union.
Our first step has been to join PETCORE Europe, an association representing the whole PET value chain in Europe to collaboratively promote the sustainable development of the PET packaging industry and to work towards increasing collection and recycling of PET packaging.
We are also members of the Recyclass platform whose objective is to improve the recyclability of plastic packaging through design and the Waste Free Oceans initiative that aims at reducing the global impact of marine litter by collecting and upcycling marine plastic waste into useful products.