The European plastics and automotive industries have joined forces to support legislation that will further encourage innovation in recycling technologies.
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The move comes in response to the endorsement by the EU Environment Council last night of a ‘broad definition’ of recycling, as part of the proposed revision of the EU Waste Framework Directive.
The Environment Council session is the latest in a series of steps towards a revision of the waste directive, of which the definition of recycling is a critical and much debated component.
In February, the European Parliament voted for a narrow recycling definition, contradicting the EU goal to become a ‘recycling society’. The automotive and plastics industries share the view that a broad definition of recycling – to include both ‘mechanical’ and ‘feedstock’ recycling – is essential if investment by companies in developing new recycling technologies and bringing them to market is to continue.
Jan-Erik Johansson, Advocacy Director of PlasticsEurope, said: “The Plastics Industry has long called for a broad definition of recycling. Industry has invested considerably over many years in innovative, eco-efficient waste management technologies. Narrowing down the recycling definition would take away the most important incentive for many stakeholders, including our members, to keep using and investing in these environmentally-beneficial technologies.”
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By GlobalDataWilfried Haensel, Executive Director of PlasticsEurope, added: “It’s important that industries from different sectors stand together on recycling. Climate protection and the efficient use of resources are some of the critical issues of our time, and we will only succeed if we work collaboratively – throughout industry and with other stakeholders, such as the politicians who are writing this legislation.”
This perspective is shared by Acea, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association.
“We believe that only a broad and consistent recycling definition, as proposed by the EU Commission, will create the legal certainty needed to ensure the development, investment and operation of innovative recycling plants”, said Urbain Vandermeulen, director environmental policy.
“The endorsement by the Environment Council is a positive move in helping our members protect the environment, through continuing the many innovative recycling initiatives in which they have been involved.”
