How is information about plastics created? What is the weight of science versus public perception? These questions were addressed at the conference "Scientific evidence and perceptions on plastic packaging: a necessary comparison", promoted today by the Plastics Observatory and Roma Tre University, held in Rome on 19 November.
The meeting – hosted by the Department of Business Economics and opened by Carlo Alberto Pratesi, Professor of Marketing, Innovation and Sustainability – brought together businesses, science communicators, environmental and consumer associations for a direct dialogue on one of the most sensitive topics of the ecological transition: how to build reliable information about a material that is as widespread as it is controversial.
The picture of recycling in Italy
Maria Cristina Poggesi (IPPR) presented the survey conducted with Plastic Consult, which provides an updated picture of the use of recycled plastics in our country.
The research confirms a dynamic and technologically advanced supply chain, supported by investments and growing use of secondary raw materials, but also facing challenges related to material availability, flow quality and regulatory framework stability.
According to the report:
- In 2024, Italian industry used 1.340 million tonnes of recycled plastics, an increase of 5.1% compared to 2021 results and a slight increment (+0.2%) compared to 2023;
- 75% of materials come from post-consumer recycling and 25% from pre-consumer waste;
- The most used polymers are polyethylene (33%), polypropylene (25%) and PET (20%);
- The main application sectors are packaging (39%), construction (24%) and street furniture.
The synergy between the recycling and processing worlds has enabled Italy to achieve excellent results precisely where the circular economy is realised, namely in the actual reuse of recycled plastics. This is a heritage we cannot lose, which is why we felt it important to listen to voices from across the entire supply chain,
stated Maria Cristina Poggesi, Director of IPPR – Institute for the Promotion of Recycled Plastics.
To meet European targets, it's no longer enough to simply increase the volume of separate collection of plastic packaging," declared Davide Pollon, Head of Research and Development at Corepla. "Today the priority is to improve collection quality, expand the use of recycled content and base information on clear, scientific evidence. Only in this way can we guide businesses, citizens and institutions towards genuinely sustainable decisions capable of generating positive long-term impact.
Industry contribution
There is no universally best material: there is the right material for each use," stated Erika Simonazzi, Marketing and Communications Director at Flo Group. "When recyclable and recycled, plastic represents a fully sustainable choice. This is why we have just launched the first cup for vending machines made with food-grade post-consumer recycled polystyrene.
How public opinion is formed
The second part of the conference, dedicated to "Communicating science", explored the role of media – traditional and digital – in constructing collective imagination.
Ruggero Rollini, science communicator, Giorgio Bagordo from WWF Italia, and Silvia Bollani, Head of Comparative Testing at Altroconsumo, highlighted how, on complex topics, communication often risks oversimplifying and polarising debate.
The discussion demonstrated the importance of constant dialogue between academia, industry, civil society and communication to improve the quality of public debate.
Bringing together data, expertise and different viewpoints enables us to overcome distorted perceptions and favour more informed choices, essential for ecological transition and the circular economy.
