World Environment Day - combating plastic pollution
Caroline Rault, Chief Sustainability Officer: "Collaboration is essential to make progress on the issue of plastic pollution."
What are the upcoming projects or developments planned in our strategy to combat plastic pollution?
For several years now, the companies in the Eclosia group have embarked on an ambitious plastic transition, implementing many actions, as mentioned above. The guiding principles of this journey have been and continue to be:
• Eco-design and innovation, based on life cycle analyses to help us in our decision-making,
• Reducing and eliminating plastic wherever it is technically, economically feasible, and better for the environment,
• Striving to give plastics multiple lives through circular economy projects for existing and future products,
• Raising awareness to ensure used plastics no longer end up in nature and the sea.
It is around these axes that the group's companies are developing their projects.
At Eclosia, what are the main challenges we face in reducing plastic use in our operations?
The main challenges are technical and technological. For existing operations, we always strive to eliminate unnecessary plastic, use the most suitable plastic for the intended purpose, and minimize the amount used. However, we face limitations: for example, reducing thickness often clashes with the resistance a packaging must offer.
Moreover, as of now, some industrial-scale solutions do not yet exist to replace plastic, which, let’s not forget, remains a highly efficient material for protecting and preserving food products.
When technological solutions do exist, another challenge is the economic aspect because, to endure, an organization must find economically sustainable solutions for its consumers and its business.
The good news is that awareness is massive and global. Things are moving quickly, and I believe that in the coming years, revolutionary technologies will be developed and become accessible to the masses.
How does Eclosia collaborate with other industry players to promote sustainable solutions and reduce plastic pollution?
The issue of partnerships and collaborations is central to making progress on this subject, together.
Furthermore, developing the local economic fabric, the "Made in Moris" initiative, is a historical and essential consideration for the Eclosia group.
Therefore, we are committed to working with institutions to boost exchanges and progress. I can mention our historical involvement in the Signe Natir program and the "Sustainable and Inclusive Growth" committee of Business Mauritius, notably through the launch of the Circular Economy Entrepreneurs Club.
In practice, our companies are working on projects, particularly in circularity, such as a project between Maurilait and PIM to give a second life to recyclable plastic packaging.
Recently, Eclosia also became a partner of the Mauritius Plastic Challenge, led by Mission Verte.
Finally, we also collaborate with the University of Mauritius because we believe in the local capacity to innovate.
Much has been done. In your opinion, what more needs to be done to solve the problem?
The subject is technical and complex, and the solution is not singular. Progress lies in various and multiple actions.
I see some structural axes emerging:
• First and foremost: collaboration between the various stakeholders involved: government, companies, institutions, NGOs, citizens... because it is through everyone's collective actions that we will make progress,
• Secondly, building recycling channels and boosting a local circular plastic economy. Indeed, completely eliminating plastic is not possible at this time, and we must manage its end-of-life. To achieve this, public-private dialogue is essential, as is designing a fiscal framework that supports the emergence of the circular economy and the implementation of innovative projects.
• Also, supporting innovation and the dissemination of international advancements to accelerate the plastic transition of companies,
• Finally, continuing to raise awareness among citizens to ensure used plastics do not end up in nature.
Are biodegradable products the solution?
I don't believe in a miracle solution applied uniformly but in a range of solutions and actions. In this case, the terminology has created confusion. Many pieces of information, often vague or even incorrect, circulate, misleading consumers, and once again, the issue is complex.
First of all, biodegradable does not necessarily mean that these plastics are not fossil-based: PCL, PVA, and PBS are biodegradable but fossil-based; however, modified starch, PLA, and PHA are renewable and biodegradable.
Furthermore, biodegradable does not necessarily mean these plastics decompose in natural conditions. It may happen, but not always. Thus, the consumer might wrongly believe that their PLA bottle will decompose over time, when, in fact, its biodegradation depends on several variables, including temperature, which needs to be controlled. If thrown into the sea, PLA will also become a source of microplastics, just like non-biodegradable plastic.
Therefore, if the products in question are not biodegradable in natural environments, biodegradable plastics must be separated from non-biodegradable waste so they can be processed in suitable channels, such as composting units.
However, I am not at all against excluding them from the range of solutions: the biodegradable and compostable tray from AVIPRO decomposes quickly in composting conditions, even at home.
I believe that information should be shared with consumers to guide their choices, that industries need to be structured, and I believe that innovation will continue to progress on all these topics, increasing interest in biodegradable bioplastics.