Work Package 7: CE SYSTEM PERSPECTIVE

CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF?

Ive Vanderreydt from VITO is leading Work Package (WP) 7. Ive is circular economy expert at VITO, focusing mainly on the coordination and implementation of policy support studies that help to unlock the potential of the circular economy. These studies mostly relate to closing material cycles, with specific focus on waste management, and the assessment of related environmental and economic impacts. He has extensive experience in the analysis of policies and related assessment methodologies and procedures (such as life cycle analysis, impact assessment, cost-benefit analyses, …).

VITO is an independent Flemish research organisation in the area of cleantech and sustainable development aiming to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world.

Ive explains: ”My role in the project is to coordinate the scientific work in WP7 and its respective tasks, in cooperation with other work packages. Besides that, I am the WP7 contact point for some generic issues like project management and communication and dissemination.”

What is the role of WP7 in the INCREACE project?

”In WP7 we try to demonstrate how and where OEMs can source secondary plastics in line with their quality requirements. Therefore, we will specify the systemic framework from a circular economy perspective for the total plastic recycling value chain ensuring transparency on qualities and an increased uptake of recycled content in value added products.”

What are the main goals and tasks?

”The main goal of our work package is to demonstrate the relevance of integrating the quality aspect in plastic recycling. Currently there is a gap between the quality of the recycled plastics available on the market and the quality demanded by OEMs.

First, we explain the approach in a generic way (in Task 7.1). Then we describe the framework how to deal with quality in plastic recycling (Task 7.2) and we make tangible for the 5 business cases in INCREACE (Task 7.3). Finally, we also benchmark how this quality perspective relates to the current plastic recycling landscape (Task 7.4).”

What challenges do you face within the WP and how are you addressing them?

”The main challenge is to translate a generic framework and concept into a tangible and applicable approach for the business cases. Key in this process is to discuss and interact with relevant partners and work packages in the project to understand the specificities of the different business cases and technological possibilities and limitations when is comes to quality of recycling and recycled plastics, and to provide feedback and iterate the discussions.”

Could you tell us about the partners involved in the Workpackage and the reasons for their participation?

”The main partners involved are on the one hand the business cases, as they form the heart of the project, and on the other hand the research partners covering the technological aspects of sorting and recycling.”

What do you anticipate the impact of your WP to be?

”We hope that the framework on quality of recycling can help for recyclers and OEMs, but also for policymakers, to better understand their respective needs and limitations in order to come better recycling and more uptake of recycled content.”