POLYPROBLEM report: The Circularity Code

Op-ed by Dominic Santschi, co-founder of Ampliphi ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDS A CLEAR BOTTOM LINE Pinpointing who is accountable for the global plastic waste crisis is a matter of controversy since blame is shifted among multiple parties, a lack of transparent material flows being one main culprit for fragmented liability. Accountability for the global plastic waste crisis is a matter of controversy as liabilities are allocated in different ways, one of the main reasons being non-transparent material flows. As things stand today, very few businesses know14 which plastics are used in their products, where their waste is generated, and how these plastics are ultimately recycled. The resulting lack of knowledge is a problem, as it does not create an incentive for taking responsibility.15 Plastic waste accounting offers a promising concept for promoting greater transparency and a sense of responsibility in dealing with plastic waste.16 The idea of plastic waste accounting Plastic waste accounting records the amount and type of plastic waste that can be directly attributed to the activities of a company. Waste fees incurred, recyclability, and key figures such as recycling rates or the use of recycled plastics are included in the balance. This gives companies a transparent picture of where they stand in terms of plastic waste and creates awareness of their own contribution to the global plastic waste problem. The idea of plastic waste accounting differs from the digital product passport in that data transparency is not only available for one product, but covers the entire company. This holistic analysis allows businesses to compare the environmental impact of their various products and to put their consolidated key figures into perspective in comparison with similar businesses. How digitalization supports plastic waste accounting As in the case of the food industry, where digitalization has already contributed to promising developments thanks to greater transparency,17 it also provides potential in combating the plastic waste crisis.18 The use of technology allows businesses to seamlessly record and track plastic packaging throughout its entire life cycle, making it possible to transparently map supply chains. Businesses that have made a conscious decision to publish their waste accounting not only create transparency for the critical public, but also step up internal pressure to act. However, a heightened sense of responsibility is not enough if businesses don’t walk the talk. Positive examples19 show that by openly disclosing their plastic waste footprint, businesses and organizations tend to take ambitious measures to reduce their plastic waste, for example by driving resource savings and promoting the use of recycled plastic. This commitment not only has a long-term positive impact on the environment and improves a company’s reputation, but can also foster the transition to a sustainable and responsible economy. 14 see POLYPROBLEM (2019) 15 see POLYPROBLEM (2020) 16 ETH Zürich – sus lab (2020) 17 Duda et al. (2023)) 18 see ReiProk (n.d.) 19 Ampliphi (2022) 30

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