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The European Plastics Recyclers Association (EuPR) has published
a paper offering an analysis of the plastics industry profile,
paying special attention to plastics recycling.
The paper also provides an overview of the current post-consumer
plastics recovery process, underlining the benefits of mechanical
recycling.
EuPR
gives a recommendation of ten fundamental actions to increase
the recycling of post-consumer plastics waste -
- close monitoring of the national collection systems and
better harmonisation of the different European collection
systems
- stop the use of unsustainable technologies (bioplastics
and Oxo-degradables) for plastics. Collection systems should
create separate streams for these new materials
- specific mechanical recycling targets for plastics in
the Waste Framework Directive
- limit the export of plastics waste to secure supply for
European recyclers
- favourable fiscal system for the European recycling industry
- effective solution offered to plastics recyclers to comply
with REACH.
All stakeholders should support recyclers in creating REACH-compliant
Safety Data Sheets
- elimination of discriminating legislation or standards
prohibiting the use of recyclates
- substantial increase of green public procurement and a
mandatory minimum recycled content for eco-labels
- economic instruments to promote recyclates similar to
the inclusion of the waste and recycling sectors into the
ETS
- reinforced communication and cooperation with the whole
value chain. EuPR is willing to cooperate with all market
stakeholders and policy makers in order to achieve better
post-consumer plastics recycling shares and to move towards
a 'recycling society'.
Bioplastics and Oxo-degradable plastics
EuPR states that the joint efforts made by all stakeholders
in order to achieve the European recycling targets are currently
at risk. Bioplastics and Oxo-degradable plastics will jeopardise
mechanical recycling, as they are likely to pollute the existing
waste streams. In fact, there is a high probability that consumers
will not differentiate between the different types of plastics
and will throw everything in the same bin.
A lack of accepted recyclability standards and an overkill
in labelling are not presenting a clear message to consumers.
Consequently, the presence of these new materials is expected
to give rise to an uncontrolled quality of recycled material
as they cannot be eliminated or detected.
EuPR has demanded that -
- the industry be watchful so as not to obliterate the achievements
of the past years in plastics recycling by using unsustainable
technologies for plastics - and
- the collection systems create separated streams for these
new materials.
To download - How to increase the mechanical recycling
of post-consumer plastics - Click
Here
Source - rx3
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