EuPR calls bioplastics and oxo-degradables unsustainable

The handling of post-consumer plastics waste is a challenging and multifaceted problem for which many solutions exist, such as mechanical recycling. Therefore, the trade association has published a strategy paper entitled How to Increase Plastics Recycling that spells out some of the issues and approaches.

This paper first offers an analysis of the plastics industry profile, paying special attention to plastics recycling. Second, it provides an overview of the current post-consumer plastics recovery operations, underlining the benefits of mechanical recycling.

EuPR has also spelt out 10 steps that it believes will increase the recycling of post-consumer plastics waste.

1. Close monitoring of the national collection systems and better harmonisation of the different European collection systems

2. Stop the use of unsustainable technologies (bioplastics and Oxo-degradables) for plastics. Collection systems should create separate streams for these new materials

3. Specific mechanical recycling targets for plastics in the Waste Framework Directive

4. Limit the export of plastics waste to secure supply for European recyclers

5. Favourable fiscal system for the European recycling industry

6. Effective solution offered to plastics recyclers to comply with Reach. All stakeholders should support recyclers in creating Reach-compliant Safety Data Sheets

7. Elimination of discriminating legislation or standards prohibiting the use of recyclates

8. Substantial increase of green public procurement and a mandatory minimum recycled content for eco-labels

9. Economic instruments to promote recyclates similar to the inclusion of the waste and recycling sectors into the ETS

10. Reinforced communication and cooperation with the whole value chain

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