EASAC: Plastics in a Circular Economy

The EASAC Environment Programme has a tradition of examining different aspects of the circular economy.

The EASAC report "Packaging Plastics in the Circular Economy", published in March 2020, reviews the negative consequences of the current linear economy for plastic packaging, the scope for improvement towards a more circular pattern of production and use, and options for increasing recycling rates and reducing leakage into the environment. The scientific issues examined relate to the environmental impact of plastics in the environment, extended producer responsibility, technical issues in recycling, consumer behaviour, the role of bio-based and degradable plastics, and targets for research and innovation.