The chief executive of Norway’s Tomra has made a commitment to enable 40 per cent of plastics packaging produced globally each year to be collected for recycling by 2030.

Currently, only 14 per cent of plastics packaging is captured for recycling. And only two per cent of this is recycled in a ‘closed loop’, meaning it can be reused again for the same purpose without being downgraded to lower quality plastics.

Announcing the targets, Stefan Ranstrand said: “A circular economy for plastics is achievable, and there is every reason to be optimistic about the future, but it requires investment from industry, government and consumers. Tomra has been enabling this change through our technology and expertise for more than 45 years – we challenge others to join us and act now.”

The company is a major producer of reverse vending machines and sensor-based sorting systems for recycling.

Ranstrand continued: “We believe now is the time for bold action on plastics pollution in our oceans. Tomra is the undisputed world-leader in the collection and recycling of plastics packaging, particularly bottles, and we are proud to be leading the industry by launching these ambitious targets.

“To solve the crisis in our oceans, we must focus on how plastics is produced and handled on land. There is clear evidence that recycling infrastructure such as container deposit schemes drive huge improvements in recycling rates, consumer behaviour and reducing pollution.”

By 2025, Tomra estimates its solutions will sort more than eight million tonnes of plastics per year from waste streams at a global level. The company also estimates it will upgrade two million tonnes of plastics to the quality of virgin material. Its reverse vending machines already collect 40 billion used beverage containers every year.