Plastics Recyclers Europe (EuPR), an organization created to represent plastics recyclers in Europe, has applauded a resolution made by the EU Parliament on steps to boost the recycling of plastics in Europe. In a press release, the PRE says that the resolution, adopted by Parliament MEPs will result in an increase in plastics recycling.

On Jan. 14, 2014, members of the European Parliament adopted the European Strategy on plastic waste (Prodi Report on an EU Strategy for plastics waste).

“The voted report is a further step towards market changes that have been pushed by the political representatives of EU citizens. In this report the Members of the European Parliament have perfectly understood the issues limiting plastics recycling.” says Ton Emans, EuPR president.

“Now the European Commission has the support of the Parliament to make ambitious legislative proposals, which will enable an enhanced sustainability for plastics products,” Emans adds.

PRE says it welcomes the report’s findings on the challenges of bio-plastics. While bio-plastics could be an opportunity for plastics products, the report underlines that the sustainability of bio-sourced materials must be evaluated and that an end-of-life solution for bio-degradable plastics must be implemented at EU level if such plastics are to continue to appear on the market.

The organization says that because of changing legislation and markets, the recycling of long-life applications is more challenging than for short-life applications. PRE is eager to support initiatives willing to overcome barriers which currently restrict recycling of these long-life applications.

 

Norwegian officials and Tomra executives at the official commemoration and opening of the company's new Xiamen, China, test center.

Tomra Sorting Recycling has officially opened a test center in Xiamen, China, its first test center in China. The company officially opened the test center in December, 2013.

In a ceremony commemorating the official opening, Ida Skard, director general of the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry; and Espen Rikter-Svendsen, consul general of the Royal Norwegian Consulate General, Guangzhou, China, inspected the facility.

"Our new test center in Xiamen gives us the capability to show our world-class sorting technology to a variety of potential customers in China," says Jacob Rognhaug, country manager of Tomra Sorting Recycling China. “Here, they can see firsthand how our machines and technologies can be flexibly adjusted, through a wide range of settings, to test their samples with multiple potential solutions until they find the optimal solution. In this way, customers learn directly, in a hands-on way, about the ability of our machines to adapt to a variety of operating environments."

The test center directly supports the complete sales process, including the testing of sample materials provided by customers. For each sample, Tomra Sorting Recycling will issue a test report, including the constituents of the sample, details of the test process, the test result and recommended solutions.

"Tomra Sorting Recycling is absolutely committed to the China market and finding the solution that is right for the individual company. We're not just selling machines. We are a solutions company, meeting the challenges of hundreds of potential customers, all of whom have very different needs and priorities,” adds Rognhaug. “Our new test center is going to be absolutely central to that process. We recommend that our clients share with us their specific requirements and priorities and then attend the center in Xiamen for system testing. We can jointly discuss and analyze the solutions, in order to maximize the efficiency and productivity of the sorting process, and to enhance the value of the sorted fractions."

Eldan Recycling A/S, a Danish manufacturer of recycling equipment, has responded to an increase in sales of its equipment in the United Kingdom by opening a sales office in Pulborough, U.K, in the south of England. The company named Peter Jones branch manager of the new facility.

According to an Eldan press release, Jones has a solid background within the recycling industry and has extensive knowledge about Eldan’s recycling equipment. He worked with Eldan’s U.K. agent, MMH Recycling, since the 1990s, during a time when the two companies worked together under the leadership of Philip Keatley.

Dr. Toni Reftman, managing director of Eldan Recycling, says, “Eldan Recycling has a wide customer base in the U.K., and this is a very important region for us. We would not have been as successful as we are today if it were not for Philip Keatley and Peter Jones.”

Jones comments, “I am very excited to be part of Eldan. Working together, I see us being able to build on a successful platform and a bright future is ahead in the U.K.”

Since 1956 Eldan Recycling has been involved in the technical development of machinery and methods for recycling tires and WEEE. MMH markets and distributes equipment for manufacturers specializing in scrap metal recycling equipment.

Miller Scrap Iron & Metal, scrap metals and electronics recycling company in Winona, Minn., has announced that it has been certified to R2:2013 (Responsible Recycling Practices) and RIOS (Recycling Industry Operating Standard) 2006 standards.

RIOS is the quality, environmental and health and safety management standard developed by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. for recyclers, while the R2 standard, administered by R2 Solutions, sets forth requirements relating to the environmental, health, safety and security aspects of electronics recycling.  

“Miller Scrap’s positive reputation in the recycling industry was built on being honest, working hard and developing long-term relationships," says Jerry Miller, president and CEO of Miller Scrap Iron & Metal. "We are extremely proud of our company’s history, our employees and their strong work ethic.”

He adds, “The R2 and RIOS certification process has already helped our company continue to become more proficient and effective.”