The National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA), through its Department of Food and Nutrition (DAN), is hosting the online webinar “Circularity of Recycling – the Challenge of Plastic Packaging” on March 3, 2026. This initiative is dedicated to reflection and knowledge sharing on plastic packaging recycling, food safety, and the circular economy.
The INSA has been developing relevant technical-scientific work in the field of materials in contact with food, particularly through the determination of overall migration in plastic materials. In this context, the webinar aims to strengthen the connection between food safety, sustainability, and the circular economy—key topics within current European policy and of great impact for industry, public entities, and consumers.
Among the main objectives of the initiative are the analysis of the state of the art of plastic packaging recycling in Portugal, the discussion of the technical and regulatory challenges associated with the incorporation of recycled materials intended to come into contact with food, the clarification of polymer symbols and coding and their importance for recycling and waste management, as well as the presentation of practical cases of circularity already implemented at municipal and business levels. The webinar also seeks to raise awareness of the importance of food safety and the functionality of recycled materials, reinforcing INSA’s role in this area.
The programme includes a welcome session with representatives from INSA’s Directorate, followed by presentations from organisations in the industrial and business sectors, as well as from the Portuguese Plastics Industry Association (APIP), Plasoeste, and the Municipality of Guimarães, in the context of the European Green Capital 2026, culminating in a moment of debate and final reflection.
The webinar is intended for technicians, researchers, and professionals in the areas of food, environment, sustainability, and food safety, as well as management entities, municipalities, companies, academic institutions, policymakers, communicators involved in public policies and environmental education, and consumers interested in understanding how their choices and behaviours contribute to the circularity of plastic packaging.
Participation is free of charge but requires prior registration through INSA’s e-learning platform, until 28 February 2026.