Environment
The revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC has been revised and its modification 2004/12/EC was adopted on the 11th of February 2004. The major revision concerns the recycling (60% no later than 31 December 2008) and recovery targets (55%-80%). Some specificity is mentioned concerning mountain areas, islands and small countries. Among other changes, a more precise definition for packaging is adopted (see article 1).
Cling film when distributed to final consumers as household reel is concerned in annex 1:
a) the film is not filled at the point of sale and in this case not considered as a packaging.
The carton box and its cutting device, in which this reel is sold, must be considered as a packaging but concerning the plastic or carton core (article1, 1st chapter), “the Commission shall examine…as a priority…the tubes and cylinders around which flexible material is wound”.
b) If the cling film is intended to be filled at the point of sale, then it will be considered a packaging.
c) if the cling film is already used for wrapping a tray with foodstuff, then it will be considered as a component of packaging .
See attached the directive 2004:12:EC.pdf
Ban on PVC in Slovak Republic is cancelled
After several statements of EU officials, the Slovak Government – a new EU member state in 2004 - has decided to cancel its intention to ban PVC as of 2008. The government stated that it was not well informed of the current EU context and not aware of the effort of the industry towards sustainability.
Slovak Republic Act n° 261/2002
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Voluntary Commitment of the PVC Industry
Via the European Plastics Converters (EuPC), EPFMA adheres to the VinylPlus Voluntary Commitment 2010-2020.
Through this Voluntary Commitment, the PVC Industry promotes continuous improvement, based on the principle of responsible care and takes steps towards sustainable development on the PVC value chain of the EU 27 plus Norway and Switzerland.
The VinylPlus programm addresses five key challenges to enable PVC to take its place in a more sustainable society. The first four challenges are technical in nature resulting from a thorough analysis of the production and use of PVC as a material. The fifth challenge addresses the importance of awareness about sustainable development
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Work towards the more efficient use and control of PVC throughout its life cycle.
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Ensure that persistent organic compounds do not accumulate in nature and other emissions are reduced.
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Review the use of PVC additives and move towards more sustainable additives systems.
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Reduce energy and raw material use to minimise climate impacts.
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Build sustainable awareness across the value chain.
With this VinyPlus Voluntary Commitment, the PVC industry undertakes the implementation of important program and actions covering the period 2010-2020. A review of progress towards the globalisation of the approach will be undertaken by end of 2015.
Questions and Answers on PVC and the environment
What is the link between chlorine and PVC?
Chlorine is produced when an electric current is passed through a salt solution. This is known as electrolysis. Most modern production plants use technology, which does not need mercury in the electrolysis cell. So there is no possibility of mercury pollution. Under 30% of chlorine produced is used for the manufacture of PVC. The manufacture of PVC can be seen as an important method of converting chlorine into a stable, inert plastic with a number of useful functions in everyday live.
Does PVC landfill pollute the soil?
No. This statement has been confirmed by a research programme – launched by the PVC industry and public authorities – that studied the long-term behaviour of PVC based products buried underground.
Does the incineration of PVC cause acid rain?
No. Acid rain is mainly caused by oxides of nitrogen and sulphur. These are emitted by cars, trucks and power stations. Only 0.4 % can be attributed to the incineration of PVC in municipal waste.
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Isn’t it possible to replace PVC with alternatives, which are more environmental friendly?
PVC offers the optimum balance of technical and commercial performance. It could only be replaced by products of inferior quality and at a higher price. It is often acknowledged that PVC has currently no valuable alternative presenting the same advantageous characteristics.
Newslink issue 11 Linpac plastics
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PVC industry presents its views on substainable development and PVC
After their Voluntary Commitment signed in 2000, the PVC industry has updated its commitment on sustainable development in a document entitled “Vinyl 2010”.Vinyl 2010 sets out the actions the PVC industry will undertake during the period 2000-2010 and provides for an efficient legal and structural framework for effective management, monitoring and financing of these actions. The actions of the PVC industry are based on 3 pillars: ecology, economy and society. Ecologically speaking, the PVC industry strives for continuous improvement of the manufacturing processes, the environmental-friendly solutions to manage end of life PVC products and the responsible use of additives. Economically speaking, the PVC industry emphasizes the need for cost effective products, the use of state-of-the-art technology and the significant contribution PVC production can be for local economies.
Finally, the PVC industry stresses that society as a whole can benefit from PVC as well. PVC products contribute to human health and safety; it offers an affordable means to improve living standards. PVC production and the linked productions provide directly and indirectly for 530 000 jobs throughout Europe.
Vinyl 2010 – April 2002
Download Vinyl 2010 charter.pdf
The main subjects are :
Progress Report 2015
Challenge 1 :controlled loop Management
Challenge 2 : Organochlorine emissions
Challenge 3 :Sustainable use of additives
Challenge 4 : sustainable use of energy and raw material
Challenge 5 : sustainability awareness
Monitoring, Access to information and stakeholder Relations