EU recycling industry “cannot rest on its laurels” says PRE President

The President of a recycling association says further investment is needed, as well as a realistic approach if the EU industry is to become more competitive and professional.

Speaking at the Annual Meeting of Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), Tom Emans said that 

despite the gains made by the industry over the last 20 years, recyclers must not “rest on their 

laurels”, with much still to do in respect of 26.3 percent recycling rates and the use of landfill and incineration.

The meeting, which was held on 16 and 17 June in Cascais, Portugal, saw 150 participants from all over Europe in attendance to debate addressing the future of the industry through improvements in the sorting of plastics waste.

During the keynote address, Helmut Maurer from the DG Environment, European Commission, highlighted the importance of the transition to the circular economy by “strict execution” of a future ban on landfilling plastics, adequate rules on plastic design – in particular plastics packaging – as well as applying a “critical look” at incineration.

“Closing landfills [to] plastic must not lead to more incineration and statistical confusion about what is recycling and what is energy recovery,” said Maurer.

20 years and counting 

The Meeting also marked the 20th anniversary of the creation of Plastics Recyclers Europe. To

coincide, the association released its latest strategy paper, entitled ‘Plastics Recyclers Europe 20 years later and the way forward – Making more from plastics waste” (click here to view).

The paper marks the progress of the industry during the past two decades and illustrates challenges ahead, as well as making an attempt of providing possible ways of addressing them.

It also emphasises the environmental advantages of plastics recycling as one of the solutions to the natural resources depletion, air pollution and efficient waste management.

During the event, the PRE Management Committee appointed Antonino Furfari as the new Managing Director of the association, replacing Alexandre Dangis.