TOMRA shoots for 40 percent recycling of plastic packaging

TOMRA has committed to enable 40 percent of plastic packaging produced globally each year to be collected for recycling by 2030. President and CEO Stefan Ranstrand made the announcement at Our Ocean conference held in Oslo on October 24, 2019.

Currently, only 14 percent of plastic packaging is captured for recycling. And only two percent of this is recycled in a ‘closed loop’, meaning it can be reused again for the same purpose without being downgraded to lower quality plastic.

“A circular economy for plastic is achievable, and there is every reason to be optimistic about the future, but it requires investment from industry, government and consumers,” Ranstrand said.

“TOMRA has been enabling this change through our technology and expertise for more than 45 years – we challenge others to join us and act now.”

TOMRA works with many global brands, plastic producers, converters and recyclers, enabling organizations to improve sustainability and reduce environmental impact by using TOMRA’s solutions and knowledge.

“To solve the crisis in our oceans, we must focus on how plastic is produced and handled on land. There is clear evidence that recycling infrastructure such as container deposit schemes drive huge improvements in recycling rates, consumer behaviour and reducing pollution,” Ranstrand added.

By 2025, TOMRA estimates its solutions will sort more than eight million tons of plastic per year from waste streams at a global level. The company also estimates it will upgrade two million tons of plastic to the quality of virgin material. Its reverse vending machines already collect 40 billion used beverage containers every year.

TOMRA recently joined the new global Alliance to End Plastic Waste, which has pledged NOK 13.67 billion (US$1.5 billion) towards solutions to eliminate plastic waste.