Weekly Newsletter on circular waste management in Africa #13-2023

France

Eco-design a product, process or service: What are the possible ecodesign levers? In this report, ADEME proposes a list of 42 ecodesign levers to help eco-design a product, process or service. This list completes and specifies the existing list of the 8 ecodesign levers of the Brezet Wheel known to all ecodesigners. More to read: https://librairie.ademe.fr/cadic/7718/ademe-leviers-ecoconception-guide.pdf

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Accelerated fossilization of non-recyclable waste. Accelerated fossilization is a new process for treating non-recyclable, non-inert and non-hazardous waste developed by NéOLITHE that applies to ordinary industrial waste resulting from the deconstruction of buildings (plastic, wood, glass wool or plaster, etc.) or household waste. Inspired by the living, by reproducing the transformation of Cretaceous waste into limestone, this process disrupts the way waste is treated by transforming it into stone. Less GHG emitting and ensuring the recovery of 100% of the waste treated into mineral aggregates used in the construction sector, this innovative process is positioned as an alternative to landfilling and incineration. More to read: https://www.actu-environnement.com/materiels-services/produit/fossilisation-acceleree-dechets-non-recyclables-3420.php

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Key indicators for monitoring the circular economy - 2021 Edition. Is the transition from a linear to a more circular economy happening ? This publication, made up of 11 indicator sheets and a dashboard, provides national monitoring of the circular economy. The selected indicators cover all seven pillars of the circular economy. International comparisons provide insight into France's position relative to its European neighbours. More to read: https://www.statistiques.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/sites/default/files/2021-08/datalab_key_indicators_circular_economy_august2021.pdf

At the beginning of March the national label "anti-food waste" ?provided for by Article 33 of the Anti-waste and circular economy law (Agec) was launched. The label is based on a reference system whose architecture is common to the three types of establishments concerned: small, medium and large supermarkets (GMS); wholesalers; and the catering trades. The label is based first of all on a harmonized calculation of the food waste rate. The calculation must be carried out annually, during the follow-up audit. For supermarket distributors, this rate is based on the value of unsold food (not valued or donated) in relation to food turnover. For these distributors, the rate ranges from a loss ranging from 0,71 to 1 % of turnover (to obtain the lowest level of requirement applicable to distributors of less than 400 m2) to a loss of less than 0,25?% (for the most demanding level applied to distributors of more than 2 500m2). For wholesalers, the principle is similar. The label distinguishes between frozen and ultra-fresh and imposes stricter values on the former. For catering trades, the thresholds only take into account the quantity of food lost, expressed in tons/year, without comparison to the volumes sold. The thresholds distinguish butchers and delicatessens, bakeries and pastry shops, cheese dairies, greengrocers and fishmongers. For example, a primeur can throw between 1 and 2 t/year to be labelled at level 1 and must throw less than 0.5 t/year for level 3. For a cheese factory, the thresholds are respectively 101 to 150 kg per year (kg/year) and less than 50 kg/year. More to read: https://www.actu-environnement.com/ae/news/criteres-attribution-label-anti-gaspillage-alimentaire-41467.php4#ntrack=cXVvdGlkaWVubmV8MzI2Ng%3D%3D[MjI0MTA%3D]

South Africa

This report explores the economic case for transitioning from the current linear model of plastic production, use and disposal to a circular plastics economy by 2050, with a focus on plastic packaging in South Africa. This report is the first of its kind for Africa, using the same economic modelling approach as the research done for the European Union. The research looks at the economic benefits of the transition to a circular plastics economy by taking into account not only the market and indirect costs or externalities of the linear plastics economy, but also the net material savings, mitigation of price volatility and sectoral shifts that would result in job creation and improved welfare and household income in the selected African countries. It demonstrates that a transition to a circular plastics economy in South Africa enables the country to benefit from the additional economic activity and diversification that are not possible in the current linear model. Recommendations for policymakers are included to support the realisation of these economic benefits nationally and in the region. The cost to collect, sort, recycle and/or dispose of plastic waste by both the formal and informal sector was about 4.2 million USD. The report from pages 32 to 36 is describing the enabling conditions and making recommandations. ?The economic modelling is based on a computational general equilibrium (CGE) making use of the Global Trade Analysis Project-10 (GTAP-10) database which underlies most global CGE models that examine environmental and economic issues at an international level. It relies on input-output tables and various international datasets that describe the sale and purchase relationships between producers and consumers in an economy. The circular plastics economy scenario has three core requirements (A reduction in overall consumption of single-use plastic packaging by 30%, including a phase-out of problematic polymers and formats, 50% of virgin plastic to be substituted by post-consumer recycled plastic and Wide adoption of packaging reuse and refill models with plastic packaging remaining in the economy). The transition to a circular plastics economy is implemented at three alternative rates of structural change in the plastics value chain to achieve the set targets by the end of 2050 (Immediate implementation: ambitious implementation of structural changes with maximum environmental gain, Incremental shift: gradual shifting of economic models with steady environmental gains and late implementation: conservative implementation of structural changes with the greatest environmental cost). The conclusion is that In South Africa, the “Late implementation” option holds the most significant benefit for both skilled and unskilled employment. This result is driven by the intensity of skilled and unskilled labour per sector and the fact that the primary plastics sector is already well established. Therefore, employment during the transition to a circular plastics economy in South Africa is expected to decline in the primary plastics sector and its value chain. However, these sector-specific employment losses will be absorbed through growth in the secondary plastics and services sectors which has implications for the need to design and ensure an inclusive transition in the plastics industry. More to read: https://www.wwf.org.za/?40042/Economic-case-for-a-circular-plastics-economy-in-Africa

This study financed by the World Bank under the Problue and CITIES programs, named ‘Advancing circular economy in south Africa is looking at Barriers, Opportunities and Recommendations for Advancing Circularity in Plastic Packaging and Single Use Plastic Products. Transitioning to a circular economy for plastics is widely acknowledged as being critical for addressing the issue of plastic leakage, while potentially bringing a range of additional socio-economic and environmental benefits. The objectives of the study were: (i) to provide a comprehensive overview of current circular economy initiatives and activities in South Africa with a separate baseline report; (ii) to frame the circular economy in the South African context; and (iii) to inform the development of a roadmap for advancing a circular economy for plastic packaging and single use plastic products, by providing a set of recommended short-, medium- and long-term interventions required to transition towards a circular economy pathway. More to read: ?https://petco.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WB-CSIR_CE_FINAL-REPORT_SINGLEPAGES_FA_DIGITAL.pdf?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=latest_report_advancing_a_circular_economy_for_plastics_in_sa&utm_term=2023-02-15

McDonald’s ?Corp.?said it would release a report next year examining the pros and cons of reusable packaging in its restaurants worldwide including in South Africa, addressing an environmental predicament as European laws have begun to force the fast-food titan to offer its fare in more durable containers. ?More to read: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-to-study-pros-and-cons-of-reusable-packaging-a07db889?mkt_tok=MjExLU5KWS0xNjUAAAGK1ruz_d7-wfiRR9BlYfgxpyuXSHXfpJaz1XPXJXwdQJDA5bCZbs4WKOmDhPiyOKE1mcQlnA6msohuAvgAiTmPk5JIIls9wXa9FQ2BpL-OejiztjA . A study was just released on informal eating out (IEO) practices in Europe which investigated the challenges and opportunities that circularity represents for consumer-facing packaging. More to read: https://nosilverbullet.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/No-silver-bullet%E2%80%93why-a-mix-of-solutions-is-required-to-achieve-circularity-in-Europe.pdf

In the world

In USA, data from the Global E-Waste Monitor 2020 , estimates, about 12 percent of all e-waste by weight is circuit boards. This represents over $2,000 of precious metals per ton of circuit boards, or more than $1.6 billion in total value each year in the United States alone.?There is a huge amount going to waste. Outputs from circuit boards are three very pure concentrates of ferrous metal [magnetic materials including critical minerals and rare earths], non-ferrous metals [including gold, silver, copper and palladium] and a polymer concentrate. More to read: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/visit-future-electronics-recycling?mkt_tok=MjExLU5KWS0xNjUAAAGK1ruz_UbM8XEUp1ZKeL8Mle8augbhcAJY6vvNo3Gr6ahzc5GMvpJx9LAdb4XhYdQetY3ri8Sa9YlUwAyPfez7du2sEtFAUVnhqCZovPG1gbF9UCc&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_content=---circularity???

With plastic production expected to triple by 2060, a scientific commission this week recommended banning or severely restricting the manufacture and use of unnecessary plastics. From oil extraction to manufacturing to consumption to disposal, plastics cause “significant harm” to people and planet at every step of their life cycle, causing deep societal injustices. That’s according to a commission of scientists — assembled by Australia’s philanthropic Minderoo Foundation —?who recommend capping production and establishing health-protective standards for plastic chemicals under the U.N. Plastics Treaty More to read: https://insideclimatenews.org/news/21032023/plastics-cradle-grave-toxic-research-lifecycle/?mkt_tok=MjExLU5KWS0xNjUAAAGK1ruz_Qk7gOBbUX4mMAGFQV-cT5OjnzRumW5AaRLT5h2AlB5ijScQAB8KBUn_3cZGBxiMNRKhQb3NRgY_K3DuZIIbPV_L7py723WgkDsVIz2NBCM

US president Joe Biden has announced that his administration is setting a goal to replace 90% of plastics with biomaterials within the next 20 years. The statement was met with mixed reviews, with some calling it a step in the right direction while others speculate about the plan’s feasibility.?The US is?preparing to release plans ?to make plastics, chemicals, fuels and other materials with biological processes. It is doing so to solidify its place in the global?biomanufacturing race as industries are falling behind Europe and China. More to read: President Biden’s vision for a biofuel future: Experts challenge pledge to slash 90% of US plastics (packaginginsights.com)

The debate over plastics comes into focus in 2023 in USA: One question to tackle is which types of plastic are truly recyclable.?California ?is expected to continue its rulemaking processes this year to determine the recyclability and labeling of certain plastic packaging.?Oregon ?has already issued its “truth in labeling” report as part of an ongoing?extended producer responsibility implementation ?strategy. These statewide decisions could affect future markets for plastic packaging materials and spur MRF operators and haulers to change how they operate. The Federal Trade Commission is also expected to start collecting public comments in January on how to update its?Green Guides , a document about how to market environmental claims without being deceptive. Policy experts anticipate numerous pieces of legislation this year aimed at?curbing, eliminating or regulating ?plastics. That could also include new EPR for packaging bills. Chemical recycling will come further into focus in 2023 through potential regulations and business decisions.?Michigan ?recently became the 21st state to pass a law reclassifying chemical recycling as a manufacturing process instead of waste management. Proponents see this legislation as a key business opportunity and an outlet for plastics that typically go to disposal. Yet environmentalists say the technologies don’t cut plastic production and promote pollution in overburdened communities.?More to read: https://www.wastedive.com/trendline/waste-trends-outlook-2023/303/?utm_source=WD&utm_medium=Library&utm_campaign=House

This research paper is on the role of international trade in realizing an inclusive circular economy. To address this knowledge gap, it presents a working definition of circular trade and outlines the main types of circular trade flow in goods, services, materials and intellectual property. It explores the main benefits and challenges of each flow, before proposing a pathway to collective action to ensure that global trade enables fair, inclusive and circular societies. The transition to a circular economy is essential to address the triple threat of pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss. International trade will play a key role in delivering this transition, as no single country can achieve a circular economy alone. Currently, the distribution of value from circular trade is highly uneven, with the Global North accruing most of the economic gains while the Global South bears most of the environmental and human costs. Greater collaboration at the global level is therefore necessary to prevent the development of a circular trade divide.. Although the proportion of circular trade flowing to and from low-income countries is small, the share of global trade in secondary raw materials and used goods to sub-Saharan Africa between 2000 and 2019 rose from 1 % to 16?%. The most valuable trade flows from high-income countries to low-income countries are those for post-consumer textiles ($267 million in 2020) and used tires ($13.8 million in 2020). The sheer volume of post-consumer textiles, combined with cheap, low-quality textiles from East Asia,?has also been observed to undercut domestic production and create significant amounts of waste. As such, it has been subject to particularly strong pushback from countries in sub-Saharan Africa – which received approximately $1.4 billion of imported textiles waste in 2020 – through the introduction of import bans, quotas and other restrictions. It should also be noted that sub-Saharan Africa is fast becoming a favored destination for e-waste. For instance, sub-Saharan e-waste imports (not counting illegal e-waste trade) increased by 280 % in value and 290 % by weight between 2010 and 2020 (compared to the global average of 183% and 165?% in value and weight, respectively). This raises questions around the environmental and social risks associated with the lack of e-waste management in?such countries. More to read: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2022/10/role-international-trade-realizing-inclusive-circular-economy/04-global-dynamics-circular

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Circular Economy Leadership Canada is launching a Knowledge Series of webinars dedicated to sharing information on topical themes and focus areas relevant to the circular economy transition in Canada, with the purpose advancing circularity education and accelerating action. This webinar is on Promoting Inclusivity through the Circular Economy. More to read: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUNFRSlrq38

Safety assessment of the process Green PET Recycling, based on the Starlinger iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post-consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non-food consumer applications. The flakes are dried and crystallized in a first reactor, then extruded into pellets. These pellets are crystallized, preheated and treated in a solid-state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the drying and crystallization (step 2), extrusion and crystallization (step 3) and SSP (step 4) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. More to read: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7928