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A lot is happening in politics when it comes to environmental and climate protection and new rules and limits are constantly being set. This also applies to the planned introduction of limit values for waste containing persistent organic pollutants. The BDE is now expressing concern that the new limits could hinder efficient recycling.
The background is the Political agreement in the EU Environment Council on the POP Regulation. At its meeting last Thursday, the committee agreed with the EU Commission's proposal and spoke out in favour of lowering the limits for recyclable waste.
„If the contents of the current political agreement of the Environment Council are finalised, this would have a direct impact on the recycling of affected waste. However, a future regulation should enable both the reduction of pollutant limits and the efficient recycling of waste.
Peter Kurth, BDE-President
Low limit values make recycling more difficult
The political agreement of the EU Environment Council essentially corresponds to the Commission's proposal to amend Annexes IV and V of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (POP Regulation). This provides for the Reduction of limit values which determine whether waste containing POPs can be recycled at all.
For example, plastic waste containing the brominated flame retardant PBDE, which is found in electrical appliances, can only be mechanically recycled up to a limit value of 500 mg/kg instead of 1,000 mg/kg. With the Even lower values are rumoured to be expected in the EU Parliament's Environment Committee vote at the end of March.
„Of course, we are also committed to reducing pollutants in the environment. The removal of pollutants is part of an efficient circular economy. However, future regulations must not result in a limits or even prevents sustainable recycling for certain materials becomes. At the same time, we have a duty to reduce pollution. We are therefore campaigning for practical solutions and transitional periods for the waste disposal and recycling industry. This will give companies more time to make the necessary investments in their recycling facilities. It also takes time to realise reliable measurement methods. In line with the EU's Green Deal and its requirements for a sustainable circular economy succeed in both: Reducing pollutants and optimising recycling."
Peter Kurth
Source: Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Raw Materials Management Industry
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