Circular transition of the heating- and chemical industries: Cooperations for less plastics to energy recovery

Important results from the project

The goal of reducing plastic to waste incineration has been reached and examples of measures are collected in the "Action Plan to Reduce Plastic to Waste Incineration". Measures are available for actors along the plastic value chain, from manufacturers to waste managers and waste incinerators. Sub-goals have also been reached, such as creating a cross-industry platform to reduce plastic to waste incineration, expanding dialogue in the value chain and contributing to policy processes.

Expected long term effects

The project´s cross-sector collaboration and actions in the Action Plan are expected to contribute to reducing plastic incineration, increasing resource efficiency and improving the use of recycled plastic raw materials as part of the transition for the chemical and district heating sectors. The increased dialogue and transparency in the value chain contributes to collaborative projects, where the parties have knowledge of each other´s conditions and challenges related to plastics.

Approach and implementation

The project was implemented in four case studies for selected plastic flows. The working methods were workshops, seminars and mapping of practical measures and policy measures for each plastic flow. Measures were designed in consultation with the value chain and the results were collected in an Action Plan to reduce plastic to waste incineration and in a debate article. The project also invited open seminars to disseminate measures, plus representatives have participated in external events.