Brussels, 13/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - The proposals in the report by Simona Bonafè (S&D, Italy), rapporteur on revision of the waste directives in the circular economy package that was presented by the European Commission in December (see EUROPE 11419), will be debated for the first time by the European Parliament's environment committee on Wednesday 15 June (see EUROPE 11545).
These proposals, predicated on the idea that turning waste into resources is key to more efficient resource use, set much more ambitious recycling targets than the Commission and lay great emphasis on bio-waste, much to the delight of the European bioplastics industry.
European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing this industry, is pleased that the rapporteur is encouraging better market conditions for renewable raw materials and promoting the use of bio-based materials in packaging. This “sends the right signals to our industry and investors in the bioeconomy“, says François de Bie, EUBP Chairman.
The draft report on packaging and packaging waste further asks the Commission to assess the feasibility of gradually replacing food packaging with bio-based and/or biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions.
“We hope that this will encourage member states to recognise the benefits of, and create a level-playing field for, bio-based and/or biodegradable products”, he added.
The draft report on the waste framework directive places particular emphasis on the definitions of bio-waste and recycling, supports the inclusion of organic recycling in the definition of “recycling” and suggests a future-oriented definition of bio-waste by “taking into account other materials with similar biodegradability and compostability properties”. “These amendments are essential to achieve higher recycling targets by making use of the enormous but yet untapped potential of organic waste and compostable products in Europe. The largest fraction of municipal waste (up to 50%) in Europe is bio-waste, only 25% of which are currently collected and recycled,” says the EUBP. The rapporteur calls for calls for obligatory collection of bio-waste by 2020 supported by measures to increase the organic recycling of bio-waste to 65% by 2025 and proposes limiting the amount of residual municipal waste landfilled to 25% by 2025 and to 5% by 2030.
The four draft reports relate respectively to amendment of: - the waste framework directive (2008/98/EC); - the directive on packaging and packaging waste (94/62/EC); - the directive on the landfill of waste (1999/31/EC); - Directive 2000/53/EC on end-of-life vehicles, Directive 2006/66/EC on batteries and accumulators and Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment. The deadline for submission of amendments is midday on 23 June. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)