Brussels, 10/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - In its second reading report on the proposal to revise the framework directive on preventing and recycling waste adopted on 8 April, the European Parliament environment committee stood firm on stabilising waste production at 2009 levels by 2012 and on compulsory recycling targets. The committee, however, made some concessions to the Council in accepting that, subject to certain conditions, incineration with energy recovery may be classed as recycling within the traditional waste treatment hierarchy.
Rapporteur Caroline Jackson (EPP-ED, UK) garnered massive support from her colleagues (42 votes for, none against, with 14 abstentions) to reinstate first reading amendments rejected by the Council and call for all member states to have to re-use or recycle at least 50% of household and similar waste, and 70% of construction and demolition, manufacturing and industrial waste.
The environment committee, just like the European Commission and Council, also agreed that waste incineration with energy recovery could be considered to be recycling provided it meets a certain energy efficiency standard, calculated according to a formula annexed to the directive. Amendments seeking to delete the energy efficiency formula were only just defeated, by 29 votes against to 24 in favour.
MEPs did, however, adopt a PES amendment calling on the European Commission to re-assess the formula two years after the directive comes into effect, to determine whether or not the desired effect had been achieved and whether such a measure offered a decisive incentive to recycle. Under this amendment, the European Commission will have to indicate the amount of external energy that is used by each incinerator, the amount of energy produced and in what form (electric or thermal).
Caroline Jackson felt that the committee recognised that “incineration with energy recovery has a part to play in modern waste management”. Thanks to this concession, she hopes that she will be able to negotiate a second reading agreement with the Council, so that the Parliament can give its final agreement to the directive in June. Otherwise negotiations will continue under the conciliation procedure.
Mixed reaction from NGOs and industry
In a press release, environmentalist NGOs (EEB, Friends of the Earth) regret that the parliamentary committee approved the re-branding of certain municipal waste incinerators, “despite little evidence that this would encourage better environmental performance of incinerators”. They welcome, however, the re-assertion of “the need for EU-level targets on waste prevention and recycling” - targets which were “strong but achievable (that) will give a true sense of direction to all member states”, which will help the climate. The 50% target for recycling household and similar waste by 2020 could reduce emissions equivalent to more than 89 million tonnes of CO2 per year, the NGOs say.
Speaking on behalf of craftsmen and construction SMEs, the EBC (European Builders Confederation) complained of the “arbitrary” recycling targets set by the parliamentary committee. “The target of 70% is arbitrary and not based on any statistical data, impact study or consultation of the professional organisations concerned. The consequences on small construction companies undertaking 80% of the sector's turnover have not been assessed,” said EBC President David Croft. (A.N.)