The national plastic road map includes steps towards a new, sustainable plastic circular economy. The construction industry, for its part, can advance the goals of the road map, because a fifth of all plastic is used in its industries. For companies and organizations, the first step means making a green deal commitment.
The plastic road map has been implemented since the end of 2018 as part of Marini's board program. The plastic road map sought to initiate concrete actions to speed up the sustainable circular economy of plastics. This work continues with the updated program Muovitiekartta 2.0.
The goal has been set to achieve a breakthrough in the circular economy of plastics in Finland by 2030. This is aimed at reducing littering of the environment, avoiding unnecessary consumption and promoting reuse, enhancing recycling and the recyclability of plastic products, and replacing virgin plastic made from fossil raw materials with alternatively recycled plastic or sustainably produced renewable materials. The success of material cycles requires the cooperation and clear roles of the actors involved in the value chain. For example, simply collecting plastic does not contribute to the issue if there is no further use for the collected plastic. Likewise, film plastic made from recycled raw material must end up being used and replace film plastic made from only primary raw material, so that its production would promote a circular economy.
It is precisely this joint success of the value chain and doing good together that the construction plastics green deal agreement aims at. The participating companies from different parts of the chain enable the circular economy of film plastic. Thanks to those of you who are already participating!
I now encourage everyone else to make a commitment. It is important to remember that each company tailors its actions within the framework of the commitment. The emphases of different companies can be different, because there are also differences in the use of film plastics. On the Commitment2050 website, you can see who has already made the commitment. Promoting the goals of the construction plastics green deal agreement is part of the responsibility work.
Plastic products are used in construction for many purposes. Some of the products are entirely plastic, some contain other materials in addition to plastic materials. An essential part of product development is the evaluation of the raw materials and materials used, as well as the study of alternatives. The recyclability of products and the materials used in them should be considered as part of continuous product development. The durability and suitability of the products for their purpose of use must continue to be non-negotiable requirements.
The product manufacturer cannot do optimization alone in his own bubble, because the effects are visible at the level of entities - i.e. buildings, structures and communities. The recyclability of an individual product depends not only on the product itself, but also on the products and solutions used together with or close to it. That's why we need information about the actions and plans of various actors, as well as an open dialogue. In order for one's waste or by-product to be another's raw material, both parties must know about each other. The more we can develop chains domestically, the more we will probably reduce transportation and thus emissions. The functionality of supply chains and trust among operators have also been reminded of their importance recently.
Along with the cooperation that takes place in the current value and supply chains, courage is needed to identify alternative methods of implementation and completely new actors. These also have the potential to increase productivity. Companies should communicate to others what they have already achieved. The purpose of the packaging is above all to protect the product. A smart packaging solution can also bring other things with it. We all know how to fit things into a smaller suitcase if you squeeze the clothes together and fold them neatly. The same applies to construction products.
Construction is highly visible to everyone: a construction site falls on almost everyone's route. Therefore, the cleanliness of construction sites is of great importance to the image of the entire industry. Rubbish inside the fences of the construction site can of course also end up there from the hand of a passerby, but a lot depends on those working on the construction site. After all, they take care of packaging materials for construction products, installation waste, leftover products, as well as disposable coffee mugs and cigarette butts in the right place. And every job site has the conditions for that right activity. We also remember to thank and reward those who make the work go smoothly.
Voluntary actions and commitments need to be accompanied by legislation and business policy supporting circular economy actions. The regulation regarding the end of the classification of certain types of plastic as waste is on the commission's agenda. In Finland, on the other hand, a new, lighter procedure is being considered for the end of case-by-case classification as waste, in which the authority would be centralized to one authority.
Let's let the good grow in construction!
Tuuli Kunnas
product manager
Rakennusteollisuus RT's representative in the cooperation network of the plastic road map
Thank you for this article, which talked about the plastic road map, the goal of which is a wonderful breakthrough in the circular plastic economy in Finland by 2030. My friend is studying sustainable development, so we talked about the manufacture of plastic products and, above all, recycling. This article opened up the topic well.
Thank you Alina, nice to hear!