The European plastics industry and MEP Sajjad Karim are calling on European regulators to support plastics recycling market as crisis bites
The plastics industry and MEP Sajjad Karim have asked European decision-makers to support the plastics recycling markets following the negative impact of the financial crisis. A report launched in late September shows that plastic recycling is under threat as plastics demand decreases and prices of virgin material keep dropping.
As a direct consequence, 12.2 million metric tons of plastics waste in Europe still ends up being landfilled. The industry has warned that the situation could get worse as it continues to struggle with the impact of the economic downturn.
Among the requests which the industry is making to legislators are:
• Recasting public procurement and green public procurement legislation and guidelines
• Providing incentives for energy efficiency-related measures
• Boosting innovation by providing a more favorable environment
While calling for assistance from regulators, plastics recyclers also noted that a recent report shows the success of the plastics recycling industry in Europe. The annual report The Compelling Facts about Plastics shows that recycling across Europe still increased (from 20.4 percent in 2007 to 21.3 percent last year, and energy recovery increased from 29.2 percent in 2007 to 30 percent last year) – but both figures represent a slowdown compared to the considerable increases recorded in recent years.
Moreover, there has been a major collective effort by the plastics industry to increase plastics recovery figures over the years. The industry, local, national and European governments, NGOs, retailers and consumers alike have been major players, since everyone’s contribution is needed to get over this negative phase caused by the crisis.
The industry continues to strongly believe in plastics recycling and its contribution to society, and is counting on European decision-makers to demonstrate the same commitment.
A full version of the The Compelling Facts about Plastics 2008 is available at www.plasticseurope.org, www.plasticsconverters.eu, and www.plasticsrecyclers.eu.