ECO DESIGN  FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF CENTRAL EUROPE PAPER BASED PRODUCTS RECYCLING LOOP
Paper is a natural biopolymer obtained from a renewable resource (wood). It is renewable, recyclable and, at the end of its life cycle, biodegradable. Paper recycling increases the material lifespan and is a key strategy that contributes to savings of primary raw material, reduction of energy and chemicals consumption, reduction of the impact on fresh water and improvement of waste management strategies. In central Europe, recovered paper is a major resource (secondary raw material), however, the paper recycling rate is still highly inhomogeneous. Since recovered paper is not only recycled in the country where it is produced, some essential features such as eco-design and eco-collection concepts must be developed at transnational level to increase the sustainability of the paper loop.

The project ECOPaperLOOP identified needs of the regions related to the recycled paper, whereas a clear picture on participating region’s status; a greater awareness in the private and public sectors about recyclability issues as well as shared and collective knowledge base on available technologies and practices will be tackled. EcoPaperLoop project will address these issues developing new joint activities between highly oriented paper recycling regions (e.g. Germany and Northern Italy) and other Central Europe regions where recycling rate and recycling oriented eco-design needs significant improvements.