Mechanical recycling is currently the most common material recycling technique for plastic packaging. However, utilizing mechanically recycled material in closed-loop applications (producing products with the same quality requirements as its source) is still challenging, especially when it comes to post-consumer material due to potential contamination. This project aims to assess possible future-oriented, circular material management systems to improve recyclate quality. The material management system includes collection systems (i.e. separate collection) with a focus on mechanical recycling.

About CIRCuIT CIRCuIT, which stands for Circular Construction in Regenerative Cities is a project funded by the EU Commission Horizon 2020, which brings together four European cities, Hamburg, Helsinki, Copenhagen, and London to undertake a fully circular and regenerative transition. This amazing project aims to move away from conventional construction practices into a more circular, eco-friendly, and regenerative construction approach. The project involves demolition practices, construction material recovering, building elements reuse, structural adaptability for future needs, and much more. With the collaboration of different demonstrators and the participation of multiple city partners, the CIRCuIT project will provide the tools of today to transition to a regenerative and circular tomorrow while sustainably reducing the extraction and use of virgin material and promoting a better and more eco-friendly building behavior. Objective ​ Throughout Copenhagen, Hamburg, Helsinki Region and Greater London innovative solutions will be implemented through 36 pilot projects. The solutions will include: ​​ Urban mining and reverse cycles (Dismantling buildings to re-use and recycling of materials) Extending building life through transformation and refurbishment Designing for disassembly and flexible construction Developing urban planning instruments to support cities in implementing circular construction solutions Implementing Circularity Hub which will include a data platform to evaluate the progress of circular economy and regenerative capacity Setting up a knowledge sharing structure in the form of the CIRCuIT Academy, to promote upscaling of solutions Expected impacts Increase the regenerative capacity within the four cities Reduce yearly consumption of virgin materials by 20% in new built environments Decrease 15% of related cost

The project BIO-PLASTICS EUROPE addresses the topic „Sustainable solutions for bio-based plastics on land and sea“ (Topic identifier: CE-BG-06-2019), within the focus area „Connecting economic and environmental gains - the Circular Econonmy (CE)“ and will focus on sustainability strategies and solutions for bio-based products to support the Plastics Strategy. This shall include innovative product design and business models facilitating efficient reuse and recycling strategies and solutions, including ensuring the safety of recycled materials when used for toys or packaging food stuffs. In line with the EU strategy on international cooperation in research and innovation and in order to encourage the further replication, the European consortium is complemented by a partner in Malaysia, providing an added value and helping them to address the many problems they face.

Previous research by the applicants has established that the closed-loop recycling of polypropylene (PP) plastic, one of the major plastic types used in packaging, is limited because the quality is insufficient for food contact. To tackle this challenge, a systemic change, potentially via the introduction of a deposit return system (DRS) coupled with strong consumer participation is crucial. A DRS has the potential to minimize contamination to the extent that the requirements of the EFSA are met, as it is in the case of polyethene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles. Objectives 1. Assess the feasibility of using recycled PP in food contact applications based on analytical evidence of the presence and concentration of key organic contaminants 2. Understand and quantify the drivers of consumer participation in terms of packaging return and purchasing choices