Whirlpool EMEA today announces that it has successfully responded to the EU Commission invitation to come forward with voluntary pledges on reducing plastics waste and boosting the uptake of recycled plastics. The EU initiative is included in the wider Plastics Strategy, adopted by the European Commission in January 2018, aiming at promoting a more circular economy and protecting the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation. The objective is to ensure that by 2025 ten million tonnes of recycled plastics find their way into new products on the EU market.
In this context, the company has decided to work with its industry partners to ensure in the coming 7 years the adoption of recycling solutions for components of washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers.
The pledge includes the use of recycled polypropylene with mineral filler and polystyrene, in compliance with ROHS and REACH regulations.
“Whirlpool has a long and proven track record in environmental protection and sustainability, developing high-performing, innovative appliances that not only help conserve our limited resources by consuming less water and energy, but also meet the needs of our consumers” – commented Karim Bruneo, Corporate Responsibility and Government Relations Manager, Whirlpool EMEA – “We are glad to support the EU Plastics Strategy and contribute to further reducing plastic waste and the use of recycling plastics. Our voluntary pledges show that we are serious about being at the forefront of industry efforts to move to circular economy”.
Although the European home appliance sector uses just 0.5% of the world’s plastic production and less than 1% of the EU’s packaging waste comes from appliance packaging, Whirlpool EMEA has decided to take part in the voluntary pledging campaign to reduce plastic waste promoted by the European Commission in the framework of the Plastic Strategy.
The voluntary pledge by Whirlpool EMEA comes along with the celebrations of the World Environment Day, which this year is dedicated to the global cause “Beat Plastic Pollution”. The company reiterates its commitment to take part in the execution of the EU’s plastic strategy, with the shared ambition to transform the way products are designed, produced, used, and recycled. The goal is to protect the environment whilst at the same time lay foundations to a new plastic economy, where design and production fully respect reuse, repair and recycling needs and more sustainable materials are developed.