Aster

The Alpine textile and plastic industries count major producing regions. They also share a reliance on common raw materials (polymers), and applications in identical sectors like mountain products and equipment, which are essential items in the economic development of mountain areas.

These industries have accelerated their green transition, thanks to significant efforts in innovation and regulations. Yet, there is consequent room for improvement:

• In filling the gap to reach carbon neutrality, with a share in worldwide greenhouse gases emissions of 3,4% for plastics and 10% for textiles
• In improving resource sensitivity, regarding raw materials (vastly imported) and industrial impact on the environment (local production and its upstream and downstream activities).

Waste mitigation is a major lever for improvement: waste avoidance and performant waste management reduce the environmental impacts such as microplastic pollution or non-biodegradable rejects. Efficient waste mitigation generates positive economic impact with the creation of activities (e.g. repair shops) and induces an improved resource sensitivity (e.g. raw materials from recycling). ASTER aims at improving cooperation for waste mitigation in textile and plastic in the Alps, in which regional policies and technical solutions are evolving in different directions. With a focus on mountain products, the added-value of ASTER comes from its harmonized approach of waste mitigation pathways, for solutions and tools applicable at two different levels:

• Improvement of waste policies in the Alps with a policy brief and improved general public awareness through the action of public institutions
• Facilitation of solution implementation, with groundwork for the establishment and facilitation of Alpine waste mitigation schemes with mappings, toolboxes, events and training materials to impact the current and future industry.

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