TOMRA engages in reshaping global plastics system

United Kingdom – Global sensor-based solutions provider TOMRA has signed up as a member of the New Plastics Economy, a three-year initiative working towards a global plastics system guided by the principles of the circular economy.

Led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the initiative brings together businesses, governments, scientists and citizens to accelerate the transition towards a more effective global system for plastics. The three main objectives of the project are: the creation of an improved after-use plastics economy; the reduction of leakage of plastics into natural systems; and the decoupling of plastics production from fossil fuel-based feedstocks.

TOMRA is one of five new members of the New Plastics Economy initiative, which works with more than 40 organisations from across the plastics value chain, and is supported by academics, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.

As part of the initiative, new members attended a workshop in London last month and presented details of innovative pilot projects aimed at rethinking and redesigning the future of plastics. Among these, an initial project proposed by TOMRA Sorting Recycling focused on the sorting of plastics.

According to TOMRA’s ceo Stefan Ranstrand, working with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation as a member of the New Plastics Economy network is a good opportunity to help reshape the way plastic is used and recycled around the world.

‘The initiative’s objectives complement our own vision of leading the resource revolution and help to develop a circular economy for plastics,’ he says. ‘Marine litter is a growing concern around the world and will be our main focus as a member of the initiative. Our technologies are capable of changing the way plastics are recycled, in terms of both quality and quantity, and we are looking forward to making a significant contribution to the development of an improved global plastics system.’

UniIn mid-January, the New Plastics Economy will present its latest research findings to government leaders and businesses at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.