European Plastics Recyclers Create Working Group on Mixed Plastics

The European Plastics Recyclers (EuPR) has created a working group that will focus on coordinating plastics recyclers initiatives in regards to mixed plastics. The newly formed group also aims to strengthen the position of this sector.

Michael Scriba, chairman of the new group, as well as CEO of MTM Plastics GmbH, says, “The aim of this group is to fight the current market failures that are blocking the development of mixed plastics recycling in Europe.”

“It is the appropriate time for mixed plastics recyclers to voice their added value for the environment and contribute to the increased levels of plastics recycling in Europe,” Scriba adds.

While looking to boost the recycling of mixed plastics, the EuPR adds that the new working group will attempt to highlight the fact that the material can be used for end-use applications other than energy recovery. EuPR’s group notes that the potential to grow the collection of mixed plastics is significant. The association notes that out of the 15 million metric tons of post-consumer scrap generated from packaging in Europe, about 10 percent may be considered as forming possible mixed plastics fraction.

In a release on the formation of the new group, the EuPR adds that various collection schemes are now looking into the mixed plastics stream in order to meet future recycling targets. These developments are welcomed by the plastics recyclers as they will increase Europe’s resource efficiency, create jobs and decrease our environmental impact. Nevertheless, these developments must be carefully supervised as they should not jeopardize the existing and successful plastics recycling markets.

The new group will officially begin June 7, 2011. In the meantime, the EuPR is inviting all mixed plastics recyclers to contact EuPR in order to take part to this forum.

For more information please contact Antonino Furfari at antonino.furfari@eupr.org.