Green Plastics as Eco-materials in Europe .
Consumer goods manufacturers in Europe are taking a major step toward the use of plant-derived plastics and recycled plastics. In Japan, the use of non-petroleum-based plastics for drinking straws and containers, which are consumed and disposed of in large quantities in some food service industries, has been excessively reported, and the beginning of the trend seems to have finally begun. For example, a major Danish toy manufacturer has introduced its first plant-derived plastic (polyester) product made from sugarcane. For a limited time only, the company is currently selling Lego blocks Plants from Plants in the shape of grass and trees, but it plans to expand this to all its products in the future. Adidas, a sneaker manufacturer, is not using new plant-derived materials for the time being, but is planning to make do with recycled polyester materials. The company has already sold one million pairs of sneakers made from recycled polyester in 2005, and plans to switch to the full range by 2012. The company has already sold 1 million pairs of sneakers made of recycled polyester in 2005, and plans to switch entirely to recycled materials by 2012. The company is putting into practice its policy of "prioritizing the reduction of environmental impact even though the cost is 10-20% higher" in the products it sells. The company is now aiming to make all plastics reusable or recoverable by the year 30.
