There is a first time for everything. The EU's strategy on plastics, which was presented by the European Commission on 16 January to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, won unanimous backing from industry, although certain figures would have liked more details.
Industry satisfaction is important, as the Commission is counting on the active participation and voluntary commitments of the companies concerned to achieve 100% recyclability or reusability of plastic packaging on the EU market and likewise for more than half of plastic waste by 2030 (see EUROPE 11940).
BusinessEurope welcomed the strategy, as it takes account of the financial viability of recycling as well as setting ambitious targets – which is why, in the view of its Director General, Markus J. Beyrer, it succeeds in being “relatively balanced between environmental and economic considerations”.
Quoted in a press release, BusinessEurope also welcomes the Commission’s intention to look for voluntary pledges to boost recycled plastics rather than immediately jump to regulatory actions. The association would, however, have liked more clarity on “potential EU-wide fiscal measures as well as the proposed ‘private-led’ fund for financing investments for innovations and technologies”. It supports the Commission’s intention to first enter into a dialogue with stakeholders on these matters.
Hailing the strategy major progress, particularly in its intention to tackle marine waste, EUROPEN (The European Organisation for Packaging and the Environment) expresses its full support for measures that will leverage the effect of the revised waste directives, under the inter-institutional agreement recently reached. “Harmonising and strengthening our waste management systems across Europe (…) is rightly indicated as a key priority. We are pleased to see Extended Producer Responsibility recognised as playing a key part in strengthening packaging waste management in Europe”, said its chairman, Hans Van Bochove, in a press release.
PlasticsEurope, which represents the European plastics industry, on Tuesday published its “Plastics 2030 - Voluntary Commitment”. This voluntary commitment, which lays emphasis on innovation, focuses on: increasing reuse and recycling, preventing plastics leakage into the environment and accelerating resource efficiency.
A group of textiles, sportswear and detergent confederations and associations (EURATEX, AISE, CIRFS and FESI) has also made a voluntary commitment to prevent the release of microplastics into the environment, by working to define harmonised test methods, sharing knowledge and supporting industrial research activities to identify effective and feasible options. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)