RECYCLING
New EU proposals highlight waste management and recycling / Welcomed by EuPR
New proposals for EU environmental policy to 2020 have been welcomed by Plastics Recyclers Europe (EuPR, Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsrecyclers.eu). The European Commission (EC) launched the Environmental Action Programme (EAP) proposals, which are aimed at protecting nature and boosting sustainable, resource-efficient, low-carbon growth, on 29 November.
Entitled "Living well, within the limits of our planet", the EC’s 7th EAP stresses the importance of waste management and the need to improve the efficiency of resources. It recommends the waste management hierarchy of prevention, re-use, recycling, other recovery and disposal.
The 7th EAP is going in the right direction regarding pushing plastics recycling, says EuPR, which represents national associations and companies covering 80% of the European plastic recycling industry. “The targets set by this new EAP to 2020 will trigger the right conditions to boost plastics recycling in Europe,” states EuPR president Ton Emans. “This will enable improved resource efficiency, allow sustainable economic growth and create green jobs.”
EuPR also welcomed the objectives that waste is safely managed as a resource, energy recovery is limited to non-recyclable materials and landfilling of recyclable and compostable materials is effectively eradicated. “EuPR is looking forward to contribute to the development of these polices to ultimately improve the sustainability of plastics”, Emans added.
The EAP proposals also highlight the importance of eco-designed products. The global market for eco-industries is estimated to be worth at least EUR 1 trillion and is forecast to almost double over the next 10 years. European companies already have a global lead in recycling and energy efficiency and should be encouraged to benefit from this growth in global demand, the report states. The European renewables sector alone is expected to generate more than 400,000 new jobs by 2020, it adds.
e-Service:
The Environment Action Programme, “Living well, within the limits of our planet”, as a PDF document
Entitled "Living well, within the limits of our planet", the EC’s 7th EAP stresses the importance of waste management and the need to improve the efficiency of resources. It recommends the waste management hierarchy of prevention, re-use, recycling, other recovery and disposal.
The 7th EAP is going in the right direction regarding pushing plastics recycling, says EuPR, which represents national associations and companies covering 80% of the European plastic recycling industry. “The targets set by this new EAP to 2020 will trigger the right conditions to boost plastics recycling in Europe,” states EuPR president Ton Emans. “This will enable improved resource efficiency, allow sustainable economic growth and create green jobs.”
EuPR also welcomed the objectives that waste is safely managed as a resource, energy recovery is limited to non-recyclable materials and landfilling of recyclable and compostable materials is effectively eradicated. “EuPR is looking forward to contribute to the development of these polices to ultimately improve the sustainability of plastics”, Emans added.
The EAP proposals also highlight the importance of eco-designed products. The global market for eco-industries is estimated to be worth at least EUR 1 trillion and is forecast to almost double over the next 10 years. European companies already have a global lead in recycling and energy efficiency and should be encouraged to benefit from this growth in global demand, the report states. The European renewables sector alone is expected to generate more than 400,000 new jobs by 2020, it adds.
e-Service:
The Environment Action Programme, “Living well, within the limits of our planet”, as a PDF document
07.12.2012 Plasteurope.com [224052-0]
Published on 07.12.2012