Germany makes progress toward modern recycling law

The Federal Association of Germany for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management (BVSE) is applauding progress made by Germany’s grand coalition on key elements of a new national recycling law.

The nation's major political parties have agreed to elements in the proposal. In a joint statement, Marie-Luise Dott, environmental policy spokeswoman for the CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Christian Social Union in Bavaria) Parliamentary Group and Thomas Gebhart, rapporteur of the CDU on closed cycle waste management and resource efficiency, report, “We have cleared with today’s agreement on common key points the way for a modern recyclables law. This will be a milestone for greater environmental protection and resource conservation."

Following intensive negotiations, the groups say they expect the Federal Environment Ministry to promptly submit a bill on the basis of these principles.

The proposal calls for the combined collection of postconsumer packaging and metal and plastic streams from households, simplifying sorting for households. In addition, municipalities will have flexibility in how the recyclables are collected, whether via yellow bag, recycling bin or at a recycling center.

Additionally, the bill calls for further development of market-based product stewardship calling for manufacturers of metal and plastic products and packaging to include recycling and disposal costs as part of the sales price.

The bill also calls for competitively organized recycling and collections contracts, to facilitate low costs.

Eric Rehbock director general of the BVSE, calls the agreement “real progress.” In a statement posted on the association's website, Rehbock calls for speedy passage and implementation of the law to strengthen recycling in the country, particularly in the area of plastics.

The proposal also calls for the following:

• Expansion of the existing product responsibility of manufacturers and distributors regarding nonpackaging plastic, metal and composites
• Ecologically demanding recovery requirements
• Recycling rates and license fees to be adjusted based on recyclability
• Combined collection of packaging and nonpackaging materials
• Establishment of a central location with supervisory powers for oversight of the system
• Strengthening of local authorities as direct local contacts
• Flexibility to define collection structures