The demand for plastics in Europe reached 49 million tons in 2015. High landfill rates, leakages into the ecosystem and potential health risks make it imperative to rethink the plastics economy. At this Policy Dialogue, speakers discussed the issues raised by the Commission Communication ‘A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy’, and what needs to be done to tackle the plastics challenge. The strategy aims to increase the quantity, quality and uptake of recycled plastics, reduce plastic waste and leakage, promote innovation and investment in circular solutions and support international action. Achieving these objectives will require collective involvement from all stakeholders and action at all stages, from design to consumption and waste management.

Speakers included: Annika Hedberg, Senior Policy Analyst, European Policy Centre, Eric Liégeois, Team Leader, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship & SMEs, European Commission, Antonello Romano, Senior EU Policy Adviser, PlasticsEurope, Nicole Couder, Institutional relations officer, Europe & International, Suez, Justine Maillot, EU Affairs Officer, Surfrider Foundation Europe.