Eurometaux calls on EU member states to introduce stronger commitments

Eurometaux, based in Brussels, has welcomed the European Union’s Circular Economy package, which provides comprehensive measures to improve the circular management of Europe’s materials.

To build on the Commission’s efforts, the association has called on MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) and member states to introduce stronger commitments in crucial areas, with harmonised implementation across Europe.

Guy Thiran, director general of Eurometaux, observes, “By addressing the full materials life cycle, [the] Circular Economy Package takes an important step towards securing the value of EU resources. Too many of Europe’s metals are still landfilled, incinerated or exported without guarantee of proper treatment. Several of the Commission’s proposals will help make sure those metals are recycled, safely and efficiently.”

In other Eurometaux news, the association has also launched a new website, www.ourmetalsfuture.eu, to showcase how metals are contributing to Europe’s sustainable future.

The association reports that as the EU is committed to cutting at least 80% of Europe’s carbon emissions by 2050, the European metals industry is committed to help, and the new website is part of that initiative.

The association says the website and blog is designed to educate visitors about the practical policy ideas of industry leaders to ensure Europe meets its 2050 goals.

Eurometaux says a circular economy is essential to capitalising on Europe’s urban mine, where valuable metals can be recycled from cars, buildings, packaging, e-waste and other applications. As well as creating economic value for Europe, metals recycling saves up to 95% of the energy needed to manufacture new metals from primary sources.

The association says that despite those benefits, €4.3 billion of base metals scrap leaves Europe annually without guarantee of quality treatment, and two-thirds of e-waste is not properly treated within the EU.

Thiran continues, “Provided they are firmly implemented, several Commission proposals will help quality recyclers get access to Europe’s metals. In particular, we support requirements to collect waste streams separately; to increase the recyclability of products; and to properly define ‘final recycling.’ The Commission has also made an important commitment to reduce landfill of municipal waste and provided ambitious recycling targets for packaging.

“Looking ahead, stronger commitments should still be introduced in key areas, and rules need to be implemented the same way across EU Member States," he adds. "In that respect, [the] proposal can be boosted further through mandatory certification for recyclers of certain waste streams, stronger measures to com bat illegal waste shipments, and a reduced burden when trading waste within Europe.”

The association says the European metals industry is fully committed to a constructive dialogue with MEPs and member states to build on the Commission’s proposal and ensure its actions can be implemented swiftly and concretely.

Eurometaux represents the enterprises and organisations that make up the nonferrous metals supply chain, from mining and refining to processing, fabrication and recycling, in Europe.