GOOD PRACTICES GUIDE

ON WASTE PLASTICS RECYCLING

A GUIDE BY AND FOR LOCAL
AND REGIONAL AUTHORITIES

WASTE PLASTICS RECYCLING A GOOD PRACTICES GUIDE

BY AND FOR LOCAL & REGIONAL AUTHORITIES

FOREWORD
History may view plastics as one of the most important technical developments of the 20th century.
Plastics have opened the way for new inventions and have replaced other materials in existing products.
They are light, durable and versatile, as well as resistant to moisture, chemicals and decay.
Yet these properties can also bring challenges to waste managers in local and regional authorities.
Worldwide, policies are being introduced that demand recycling, diversion from landfill of untreated wastes
and greater levels of resource conservation. This is being achieved through the development of local,
national and international strategies, new regulations setting targets and economic, market-based
instruments and taxes, and new technologies to collect, sort, treat and recycle waste plastics.
It is clear that the use of plastics reduces the mass of materials needed in many applications and many
sectors. However, the more numerous, specialised, engineered and differentiated become plastics materials,
the more difficult will be their recovery especially by material recycling which must be a first choice after
reuse and prevention.
The ACRR has been created for the purpose of providing support to L/RAs. Of course, this Guide does not
pretend to be exhaustive, but we hope it will provide the reader with practical insights, experiences and
guidelines for the proper management of waste plastics.
This guide is also an exercise of partnership between ACRR and the European Plastics Industry Federations.

Jean-Pierre Hannequart
President of the Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling

The Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling

The Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling (ACRR) is an international network of local and
regional authorities across Europe and beyond. Established in 1994, the association provides
a resource through which the exchange of information and experiences on municipal waste
management can be facilitated, particularly in the areas of prevention at source, recycling and
recovery.
The activities of the ACRR are based on three key principles:
the management of waste and resources with a view to sustainable development
the prevention and recovery of waste, in respect of the waste hierarchy
developing partnerships between local and regional authorities and between the
public and private sectors