"The old news that each citizen consumes 250 grams of plastic per year is a given, even in the European Union. Is this even possible? This is the equivalent of 44 baskets of 5.60 grams each (those containing 125 grams of small fruit, to be precise, e.d.). I therefore ask those who are spreading these data to back up each claim with scientific evidence, without resorting to sensationalism."
Rocco De Lucia simulates eating 44.5 plastic tubs, the number that every European citizen would eat according to a report also endorsed by the EU
This is according to Rocco De Lucia, owner of Siropack, who believes that when it comes to sustainability, we need proven scientific data, not flashy hypotheses. "I cringe when I read things like each person would eat plastic equivalent to 44.5 of these baskets every year. But my concern is that there is no reasoning behind such claims and no challenge to such claims. We have two start-ups in the company working on sustainability issues and everything we communicate is backed up by scientific data, by concrete evidence. And the 250 gram intake of microplastics is nonsense."
A plastic tray with a capacity of 125 grams weighs 5.60 grams
Next year (mid-2026), the restriction will apply to packaging under 1.5 kg. De Lucia intervenes on this front: "First of all, I would like to say that Siropack develops technologies for the production of packaging in both plastic and paper, with the predominance of paper, so we would not be so interested in one or the other material. But it's the contradiction that I can't bear, the pretension to impose a choice based on an opinion rather than a scientific method. I am not a fan of one material or the other, but with method I observe, test, reason and conclude. And I have come to the conclusion that the plastic chain is just as sustainable as the paper chain, and sometimes even more so."
Siropack is serious about sustainability: the company has two research centres (with the start-up Tailor and the spin-off Turtle) that carry out tests in collaboration with the University of Bologna, based on precise indicators and a proven scientific methodology.
Rocco De Lucia is no stranger to creative communication (see Freshplaza of 22/11/2023)
"We have hired an engineer, Jessica Rossi, who recently took and passed the EFPA ESG Advisor exam," adds De Lucia. The EFPA ESG Advisor certification offers a comprehensive view of ESG issues and is aimed at all professionals who wish to acquire a solid knowledge of the environmental, social and governance issues that are becoming increasingly necessary and useful for consulting and planning."
"By becoming an ESG Advisor, we are therefore complying with the European Union's directives and once again highlighting the inconsistencies that exist: while small companies navigate by sight in a sea of laws and regulations, big industry continues to produce and pollute with fossil energy, while the major industrial powers at global level do not in any way value the sustainability imposed on us at EU level," he concludes.
For more information:
Siropack Italia S.r.l.
47042 Cesenatico (FC)
Tel.: +39 0547 671116
[email protected]
www.siropack.it