100% recyclable claims for PET bottles are 'misleading', Eunomia says - letsrecycle.com
The report concludes that using the term ‘recyclable’ on plastic bottles is fundamentally ambiguous and potentially misleading because the term lacks a fixed legal definition. This ambiguity allows companies to make vague claims that do not reflect the complex reality of waste management infrastructure, ultimately confusing consumers who are trying to make environmentally responsible choices. By relying on such imprecise terminology, brands create a disconnect between their marketing and the actual disposal outcomes, which hinders effective consumer participation in recycling efforts. Instead of broad ‘recyclable’ labels, the authors urge the industry to provide clear, localized disposal instructions that guide consumers on how to properly prepare packaging for recycling. This approach ensures transparency and empowers users to maximize the likelihood of successful recycling within their specific regional systems. The report emphasizes that accurate, verifiable information about recycled content must account for all components, such as caps and labels, which are often excluded from recycled material claims. Furthermore, the article highlights that marketing PET bottles as fully circular or climate-neutral is factually incorrect and constitutes greenwashing. True circularity is technically unfeasible for these products due to the persistent need for virgin plastic inputs. By exposing these myths, the report demonstrates how false sustainability claims mislead the public and obstruct the green transition, calling for full traceability and honesty from producers to combat the plastic pollution crisis.
Source: letsrecycle.comPublished on 2023-11-03