Quotation

HomeIndustry InsightsCircular Economy: ACEA Proposes Pan-African rPET Standard for Food Packaging to Combat Plastic Pollution

Circular Economy: ACEA Proposes Pan-African rPET Standard for Food Packaging to Combat Plastic Pollution

2024-09-20

The Africa Circular Economy Alliance (ACEA), in collaboration with the African Development Bank, has proposed a comprehensive standard for recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) in food packaging across Africa. This initiative aims to address plastic pollution’s adverse effects on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health.

Revealed during the Tenth Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Abidjan on September 6, 2024, ACEA's publication, "Reducing Plastic Pollution in Africa: The Imperative of a Continental rPET Standard for Food-contact Applications," highlights how such a standard could stimulate economic growth, enhance intra-African trade, reduce reliance on imports, and foster innovation.

The publication, prepared with the Circular Economy Advisory Group and the EU-funded "Switch to Circular Economy" program, underscores the significant environmental benefits of rPET. This recycled material, derived from used PET packaging, requires half the energy and emits five times less CO2 compared to virgin PET production. For Africa, adopting rPET could significantly diminish the need for new raw materials.

The ACEA study calls for coordinated efforts from all sectors: governments should introduce policies supporting a circular economy and regional cooperation; industries need to invest in recycled materials and sustainable packaging designs; consumers should opt for rPET-packaged products; and intergovernmental institutions and donor agencies must provide necessary financial and technical support.

The importance of the circular economy in addressing land degradation, desertification, and drought was emphasized to African environment ministers. Anthony Nyong, Director of the African Development Bank's Climate Change and Green Growth Department, highlighted the circular economy's potential to create 11 million jobs, boost Africa's GDP by $66 billion, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030. The ACEA, supported by the Africa Circular Economy Facility (ACEF), will play a key role in executing the Continental Circular Economy Action Plan.

Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture at the African Union Commission, urged all stakeholders—governments, private sector, and development organizations—to unite in supporting the African Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan. Meanwhile, UNEP’s Rose Mwebaza stressed the need for enhanced partnerships and resources to advance Africa’s transition to a circular economy.

Supported by the ACEF, which is hosted by the African Development Bank, ACEA continues to promote circular economy initiatives, policy development, and the expansion of circular businesses across Africa.