IK disappointed by vote in EU Parliament

Manufacturers of plastic packaging are warning that special rules for plastic packaging and loopholes for other materials are undermining ecological targets. The criticism is directed specifically at the Special reduction targets for plastic packaging, exemptions for composite packaging from the recyclate use quotas as well as reusable quotas and bans on disposable packaging, which should only apply to plastic packaging and thus encourage a switch to other disposable packaging.

„The further extension of the special rules for plastic packaging jeopardises the transformation towards less packaging waste, more recyclable packaging and greater use of recycled materials.“ Dr Martin Engelmann, Managing Director of the IK Industrievereinigung Kunststoffverpackungen

In particular, the IK criticises the fact that the unequal treatment with other packaging materials leads to leads to a switch to paper packaging laminated or coated with plastic, which have been criticised because they increase the amount of packaging waste and the plastic they contain cannot be recycled. „We are now calling on the Member States, to ensure material-neutral regulations, so that each packaging material can play to its strengths for the benefit of the environment, the climate and the consumer,“ says Engelmann.

In contrast, the IK takes a positive view of the general exemptions for hazardous goods packaging, which are already regulated globally at UN level. It is also true that packaging bans will only be decided by law in the future and not by decision of the Commission alone.

The IK is disappointed that the The proposal for a credit system to make the mandatory recyclate use quotas more flexible did not find a majority.

„It is already clear today that there will not be enough approved recyclates to fulfil the use quotas for food packaging. In order to mitigate marketing bans for supply chains due to a lack of recyclates, especially in the area of PE and PP plastics, and to ensure a level playing field between mechanical and chemical recycling, a flexible allocation of recyclate shares is needed.“

Dr Isabell Schmidt, IK Managing Director Circular Economy

The association fears that small and medium-sized companies in particular will have problems obtaining the required recyclates.

Source: IK