Ecodesign as a path to sustainability: Researchers from FCH BUT help Czech companies prepare for the future
Up to 80% of plastics in Europe still come from fossil sources, and most plastic packaging is never reused. How can research help Czech companies become more competitive and environmentally friendly? And what challenges and opportunities do digital product passports bring? We discussed these topics with Radek Přikryl, assistant professor at the Institute of Materials Chemistry, FCH BUT, who focuses on material research and its practical applications in the field of ecodesign and circular economy.
From the laboratory to practice
Radek Přikryl’s path to ecodesign led through research and development of new materials. “We see how important it is to think about products in a comprehensive way. Ecodesign is exactly that kind of approach – systematic and sustainable. And the circular economy? In my opinion, it's the only possible way to manage resources today,” he explains.
He is currently a co-investigator of the project *Ecodesign and digital product passports as tools for waste prevention and higher plastic recycling – methodological and awareness support for companies and entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic*, funded by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. The project focuses on ecodesign and digital product passports as tools for greater circularity and waste prevention. It emphasizes implementing these tools in Czech companies, with a primary focus on plastics and plastic packaging – an area that has long been problematic for recycling and is a priority in European legislation.
In Europe, 80% of plastics come from fossil sources, while the share of recycled materials remains low, especially in plastic packaging. Packaging represents the largest share of plastic waste and has the lowest reuse rate. Yet mechanical recycling has up to five times lower carbon footprint than incineration, and improving these flows is key to achieving a low-carbon circular economy.
The project responds to growing demands for product sustainability. “If companies want sustainable products, they must prepare and follow the rules. The goal of our project is to ensure Czech companies are ready,” explains Radek Přikryl. How to start with ecodesign in a company? The basic recommendation is clear: first, get familiar with legislation and available expert materials. The Ecodesign Regulation provides a general framework defining key principles. There are also studies covering 11 categories of final products and 7 intermediates, including plastics. From there, it’s up to each company to create its own plan.
As an example of good practice, Radek Přikryl mentions the company Plastia s.r.o., which applies not only ecodesign principles but also design thinking. “The project called *Turn the Flowerpot* is a great example of closing the material loop. People can bring in used plastic flowerpots or planters, and the Plastia team will find a new use for them. The driving force behind these activities is Lenka Novotná,” he explains.
Digital product passports: the end of greenwashing?
Digital product passports are expected to bring significant change. These electronic documents contain detailed information about a product. “Customers and companies will gain verified information about composition, recyclability, or carbon footprint – something often missing today. Digital passports will play a key role in combating greenwashing – false marketing claims about a product’s environmental friendliness. They will provide essential evidence and facts for customers and the entire value chain,” explains Radek Přikryl.
Digital product passports are a pan-European project that will cover a wide range of products and components. Companies will provide and update data through providers. For plastic packaging, composition data will be included in the passports of final products.
A major challenge is the lack of traceable and verifiable links between sorting and recycling processes for plastic packaging. “The Czech Republic pays billions in fines for not recycling plastic packaging, yet companies wanting to buy recyclates say there’s no supply. We won’t break this vicious cycle without transparent data,” says Radek Přikryl. For example, there’s a complete lack of information in the Czech Republic about the traceability of plastics from yellow bins. “Companies often don’t know their supply chains, don’t calculate carbon footprints, or aren’t willing to disclose product composition – but this will have to change,” he adds.
According to Radek Přikryl, chemical recycling raises high expectations and could become an important tool, but it is still far from a dominant position. It must be economically sustainable and offer innovative solutions to plastic-related problems. These technologies are still in early stages, but intensive development is underway.
Companies also face new legislative obligations with the PPWR (Packaging and packaging waste regulation) package proposed by the EU. Its goal is to reduce packaging waste, promote reuse, increase recycled material content, and ensure all packaging is recyclable by 2030.
PPWR has the potential to significantly transform the packaging industry across the EU – including the Czech Republic – encouraging companies to think more sustainably and transparently. Can Czech companies prepare for these changes? “They can, although in the Czech Republic it’s a national sport to leave everything until the last minute. But the rules and basic principles are clear now. The problem for Czech companies is the complexity and technical nature of the new legislation. It was developed over many years, and companies are only now becoming familiar with it – often shocked by how many changes are coming. But these changes are essential to slow material flows and enable reuse,” explains Radek Přikryl.
The future of plastics? Transparent and reusable
If Radek Přikryl could change one thing, it would be the approach to transparency and data disclosure, which is standard elsewhere in the EU. “Without information on how much and what type of plastic is sorted and recycled, planning is impossible – whether in research or business. Yet companies face legal requirements for recycled content, which often isn’t available,” he points out.
He sees the ideal future aligned with European legislation – mono-materials, known composition, no hazardous substances, traceable flows, and digital product passports containing all necessary recycling information.
And what can each of us do right now? “If possible, avoid single-use plastics. About 50% of all plastics produced are single-use – discarded after one use. That’s a huge waste. So, instead of a disposable cup – use a reusable one; instead of a PET bottle – a reusable bottle; instead of a plastic bag – a reusable one. We can make dozens of these simple changes, and they have a significant impact,” he concludes.
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| Link | https://www.fch.vut.cz/en//f96620/d288241 |