The Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Raw Materials Management Industry (BDE) has presented the results of its 2021/2022 member survey. Overall, the industry is looking to the new year with confidence. However, now that the second year of the pandemic is over, challenges have remained and new ones have emerged.
Just under half of the companies surveyed reported an improved order situation in the past year. And overall, the Figures of the Member survey of the BDE (PDF) Rather positive. 53 per cent of companies could increase their workforce and around half intend to create new jobs in 2022. “The Despite all the challenges, the sector performed well overall last year. The overall positive figures give companies a confident mood with which the industry has started 2022. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that there are still some major challenges to overcome this year,” explains BDE-President Peter Kurth.
73 per cent of respondents stated that the rising energy costs the biggest challenge for the new year are. The shortage of skilled workers is also a major problem for 72 per cent. With regard to the political development there is currently some confidence among the companies surveyed, as around 50 per cent of them see the “right direction”, particularly in the “circular economy” section of the German government's coalition agreement. By contrast, 41 percent of those surveyed are sceptical about the targets set, as they believe that “paper is patient”.
“Combating the shortage of skilled labour and drivers will remain a top issue this year, which we will also tackle with determination. We will also be focussing on the extremely high energy costs. Companies and the association will be keeping a close and critical eye on how the new German government intends to implement its plans from the coalition agreement in terms of the circular economy. In addition, the decisions at European level often have a not insignificant impact on the business activities of BDE member companies. We would like to see appropriate solutions that are practicable, particularly with regard to cross-border waste shipments and battery recycling. Whether in Germany or at EU level, all political decisions must bring together economy and ecology and support the development of the economy towards a circular economy, as this is the only way to conserve resources, save energy and protect the climate.“
