Closing the Loop Programme

Reloop Programme 5

Closing the Loop

Packaging made with mandated high levels of recycled content reduces the need for virgin materials.

Recycled content

All packaging, whether single-use, reusable or refillable, should be made with high levels of recycled content.

This reduces the need for virgin extraction and production of materials used in packaging, which in turn reduces carbon emissions.

Separate collection

The best way to make recycled content available is to ensure that packaging is collected separately in high volume. This leads to high volumes of quality packaging that can be recycled back into packaging.

Key Reloop resources for Closing the Loop

Resource: Video

Europe’s new recycling calculation method

webinar about Europe’s recycling calculation methodology, how it works in terms of recycling losses and contamination, and how it will impact targets in Europe.
Resource:

A Call for Action on Recycled-Content Mandates

Case study on building a multi-stakeholder coalition to drive the demand for secondary materials by promoting minimum recycled content requirements in Europe.
Resource:

Guidance for the interpretation of the European Parliament proposal on Art. 29 of the REDIII regarding mixed waste sorting systems of ‘defined quality’

Policy briefing by Reloop and Zero Waste Europe provides guidelines for legislating mixed waste sorting (MWS) in the context of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
Resource: Article

In My Opinion: It’s time for recycled-content mandates

Recycled-content mandates should be a high priority, accelerating the transition to a circular economy.
Resource: Fact Sheet

A National Recycled Content Requirement

Fact sheet about implementing a minimum recycled content requirement for plastic beverage containers.

Closing the Loop forms part of Reloop’s five inter-related programmes, which work to establish a globally consistent approach to a circular economy for packaging.