5 tips for more sustainable Popular Saints’ Street Festivals
The most festive month of the Portuguese year has arrived. At Peggada, we’ve put together the best tips so that you can make the most
The Portuguese Pact for Plastics (PPP), which fights against the problems associated with plastic pollution, has launched its third report. This is good news, but it also gives the certainty that there is a lot to do.
The Portuguese Pact for Plastic brings together 116 organizations and aims to promote the transition to a circular economy, “in which plastic is considered a valuable resource within the economy and never a threat to the environment,” it said in a statement.
To achieve this goal, the members of the Pact have committed themselves to a set of five ambitious targets by 2025:
1) eliminate problematic and/or unnecessary single-use plastics;
2) ensure that 100% of plastic packaging placed on the market is reusable, recyclable or compostable;
3) ensure that 70% or more of plastic packaging is effectively recycled, by increasing collection and recycling;
4) Incorporate an average of 30% recycled plastic in new plastic packaging;
5) promote awareness-raising and education activities aimed at current and future consumers regarding the circular use of plastics.
Did they succeed?
The new report has just been released and shows that, as far as the elimination of single-use plastics is concerned, the downward trend continues, now standing at 2%, compared to the target of 0%.
Regarding Target 2, “100% of Plastic Packaging is Reusable, Recyclable or Compostable”, in terms of recyclability, the PPP members maintained the 57% of recyclable packaging compared to 2021, and there was no change. Nevertheless, PPP members have defined roadmaps and strategies to increase the recyclability percentage of plastic packaging in their portfolios, however, these changes require time before results are seen. Still on the subject of reuse, in 2022, on average, 6% of the packaging placed on the market by PPP members was reusable. This figure is lower than in 2021, when the figure was 7%.
As for target 3, “Ensure that 70% or more of plastic packaging is effectively recycled, by increasing collection and recycling”, although there has been a slight improvement, the PPP considers that it is still far from the target, with 38% of packaging recycled in 2021. “This figure has risen slightly, as would be expected, because 2020 has seen a strong impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we are still a long way from the target set (70%). To reach this figure, each person in Portugal needs to recycle at least 28 kg of plastic packaging a year, and we’re still at around 16 kg,” reveals Patrícia Carvalho, Coordinator of the Portuguese Pact for Plastics.
With regard to Target 4, “30% Incorporation, on average, of Recycled Plastic in New Plastic Packaging”, in 2022 an average of 15% of recycled plastic was incorporated into new packaging. “This target shows a growth of 36% compared to 2021, which is very positive,” says Patrícia Carvalho.
Finally, with regard to Target 5, “Raising Awareness and Educating Consumers about Circular Plastic Consumption”, consumer awareness and education has been a priority from the outset, through national campaigns, online presence, masterclasses and participation in events. “Of particular note is the “Recycle Plastic” campaign that began in 2022 and is still running. In addition, the “Let’s Reinvent the Future” educational program was developed for 2nd cycle students, available online, and the “Alternative Materials & Life Cycle Analysis” Working Group produced the “Why Plastic?” guide compiling technical and scientific information on plastics,” recalls Patrícia Carvalho.
A cross-border project that aims to solve the problems associated with plastic pollution from the outset and promote the circular economy by involving Portuguese society and developing innovative solutions.
The most festive month of the Portuguese year has arrived. At Peggada, we’ve put together the best tips so that you can make the most
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