In a sector still largely untouched by mandatory recycling schemes, Hamelin has launched a ground-breaking project: to create a European Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) chain dedicated to plastics from school and office supplies. The school supplies manufacturer, based in Hérouville-Saint-Clair, Calvados, wants to structure a chain capable of collecting, sorting and then recycling the plastics present in its products (such as perforated pouches), which are currently exempt from any specific take-back obligation.
"Plastics used in school supplies represent a major resource in Europe. They must be recyclable within a single, dedicated stream, while guaranteeing the quality of the materials and reliable traceability." says Virginie Ori, Director of Sustainable Development for the Hamelin Group, in a press release.
The family-run group, which employs 3,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of 600 million euros, has set up a scientific partnership with the Circular Economy and Territories Chair of Excellence at the EM Normandie business school.
"By collaborating with EM Normandie, we want to combine our industrial experience with academic expertise to develop a European channel for recycling the plastic contained in stationery products, with a tangible impact on the environment and local communities," he adds Eric Joan, Group CEO.
The project is in line with the guidelines of the European Commissionâ??s â??New Circular Economy Action Planâ?, which envisages the extension of EPR schemes to other product families not yet covered. At present, only a handful of EPR schemes, such as those for packaging, electrical equipment and textiles, are operational on a European scale. Hamelin thus anticipates future obligations.
Already certified by the European Ãcolabel on its âeuros booklets â?" a unique distinction in this segment â?euros Hamelin claims a trajectory to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26% by 2030 (compared to 2021), with the aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
