The industry associations BDE, bvse and VBS see the circular economy as the key to Germany's competitiveness as a business location and have put forward ten key points for the first 100 days of the future German government.
New elections are to be held on 23 February 2025 following the end of the traffic light system. The political decisions made in the first 100 days of the new federal government are of great importance for the to strengthen independence from raw materials and promote the ramp-up of the circular economy in Germany. to drive the recycling process. At a joint press conference, the Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Recycling Industry (BDE), the Federal Association of Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management (bvse) and the Association of Bavarian Waste Management Companies (VBS) presented the industry's political demands.
The circular economy offers the manufacturing industry in Germany Significant competitive and locational advantages and plays a decisive role in the resilience of the economy in times of multiple crises and a complex global geopolitical situation.
The three associations are therefore jointly formulating this Ten demands:
- Recyclability: Design for recycling
- Level playing field for plastic recyclates
- Facilitate international and free trade
- Sustainable ecological procurement with a recycling label
- Prevent battery fires - protect recycling infrastructure
- Utilising the proportion of recyclable materials in wastewater and sewage sludge
- A level playing field and fair competition between municipal and private service providers
- Reduce bureaucracy, speed up planning, use digitalisation
- Actively shaping the European legal framework
- Visibly anchor circular economy policy in a federal ministry (Federal Ministry of Economics)
BDE President Anja Siegesmund: „The traffic light coalition has started with ambitious targets for the circular economy. If things go well, the circular economy strategy will follow and the raw materials fund will be established. But that's not enough. The path to a genuine circular economy is a marathon and these first steps are just the beginning. Utilising recycled raw materials is now more important than ever. It increases added value, reduces the consumption of raw materials, protects the environment and makes us less dependent on expensive imports. There is nothing to be said against a more circular economy. We therefore expect a new German government to take concrete steps and create a clear framework for circular economy. If you want to secure Germany's prosperity and industrialisation, there is no way around a functioning circular economy. This task should be bundled in a federal ministry and placed in the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the coming legislative period.“
bvse President Henry Forster: „The economic situation in Germany is dramatic - and companies in the circular economy are increasingly affected by this. The constantly growing burden of regulations is leading us inexorably into crisis. Regulation is turning into prevention across the board. The circular economy with the generation of secondary raw materials is an essential component of an industrialised nation that has hardly any primary raw materials. It is becoming increasingly difficult to make the necessary investments and drive innovation in such an important sector. There are increasing reports from the industry that companies are abandoning the development of new locations and business areas because the political hurdles have become too high and the establishment of a company has degenerated into a political issue. Things cannot go on like this. We finally need a policy that gives companies room to breathe again. Faster and less complicated authorisation procedures, strong political and social backing at all levels - from Berlin to the municipalities. Otherwise, we risk not only the level of prosperity, but also the loss of the innovative strength that is essential for a sustainable circular economy. Germany's environmental technology is one of the most modern and promising sectors of the economy. We are jeopardising this.“
VBS President Stefan BöhmeThe companies in our industry are prepared to make a huge contribution to climate protection and the supply of energy and raw materials from waste through their investments, efficient plants and innovative processes. More speed in approval procedures, more freedom for economic development and turbo-charging digitalisationThis is how we create opportunities for more dynamic economic development, which we urgently need in Germany right now. Our member companies are ready.“
SourceBDE : BDE
