In a joint statement, the European recycling associations Recycling Europe, FEAD and Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) are calling for a clear preference for European recycled plastics as part of the implementation of the recycled content targets in the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). This demand aims to direct the demand for recycled material more towards European recycling capacities and to support the domestic industry.
The statement says that the European plastics recycling industry is in an unprecedented crisis. Numerous plant closures, falling demand, unfair international competition and growing imports of allegedly „recycled materials“, the recycled content of which cannot always be effectively verified, are putting pressure on the industry. These developments are jeopardising the competitiveness of European recyclers and calling the achievement of the EU's circular economy targets into question.
Demands on the European Commission
The associations are calling on the European Commission to stipulate a prioritisation of European recyclates in the planned implementing act for the PPWR. This regulation is intended to ensure that the recycling targets of the PPWR are met using plastics derived from post-consumer waste collected and recycled in Europe. Such an approach has already been largely adopted under the SUPD and should now be permanently extended.
In addition, the associations are calling for the introduction of robust mirror measures for packaging manufactured outside the EU. Accordingly, recycled plastics should only be counted towards recycling targets if their compliance matches EU standards or if European recyclates are used. These measures are intended to ensure that only recyclates from environmentally sound waste management and certified facilities are counted towards the fulfilment of the PPWR targets.
Only recycled plastics from third countries that can ensure environmentally sound waste management in accordance with EU rules and have equivalent circular economy measures should be eligible to count towards the PPWR recycling targets. Furthermore, only recycled plastics from certified facilities in approved countries should be able to be counted towards the fulfilment of the PPWR recycling targets. To prove that recycling facilities in third countries actually meet the equivalent environmental, operating and traceability requirements, independent third-party certification should be required.
Need for transparency and control
Another key point of the demands is the guarantee of transparency and control along the entire value chain. The introduction of harmonised verification procedures and effective controls on imported packaging by the member states are necessary to safeguard the integrity of recycling targets. The associations emphasise the importance of seamless traceability and transparency in order to be able to trace the origin of the plastics at every stage.
The PPWR recycling targets can only achieve their environmental and industrial objectives if they create a genuine demand for high-quality recycled plastics produced in Europe or to standards equivalent to those applicable in the EU. Only such a framework will ensure a level playing field, strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy, promote investment in European recycling capacities and secure the credibility of the PPWR recycled content requirements, the joint statement says.
Source: Recycling Europe, FEAD, Plastics Recyclers Europe
