Amcor Supports Danish Initiative for Circular Food Packaging Recycling
Amcor, a global leader in packaging, has announced its participation in a three-year project aimed at advancing the recycling of household polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) into food-grade materials. This initiative, known as CRISP (Circular Recycling Innovation for Sustainable Packaging), is spearheaded by the Danish Technological Institute and involves collaboration with food manufacturers and waste management experts.
The project seeks to establish a fully circular market for recycled HDPE and PP food packaging in Denmark, aligning with the European Union’s target of achieving a 55% plastic recycling rate by 2030. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) also mandates that most plastic packaging be designed for recyclability by the same deadline.
Amcor will leverage its proprietary CleanStream® mechanical recycling technology, which has been successfully implemented at its Leamington Spa facility in the UK, capable of recycling nearly 40% of domestically collected PP waste. This technology operates within existing waste management systems, ensuring high-purity recycled plastics suitable for food contact.
Christian Bruno, R&D director for North East Europe at Amcor, emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in addressing sustainability challenges. He stated, “This partnership will demonstrate what can be done when the supply chain comes together. We are proud to be part of a project that could potentially have a significant environmental impact in Denmark and set new standards worldwide.”
The CRISP initiative aims to create a systemic solution that transforms post-consumer plastic waste into food-grade packaging, ensuring full traceability of food contact materials throughout the recycling process. The long-term objective is to establish circular loops for food plastic packaging that comply with the design guidelines set forth by the PPWR.
This project also aligns with Denmark’s Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, which incentivizes sustainable design and material choices by requiring producers to cover the costs of their packaging.
Per Sigaard Christensen, business manager at the Danish Technological Institute, expressed enthusiasm for the consortium’s potential, stating, “This three-year project has the potential to provide a clear pathway towards the circular recycling of PE and PP food packaging.”
If successful, CRISP could serve as a scalable model for circular food packaging systems, aiding regulatory compliance while reducing dependence on virgin plastics within the European food industry.