Following Tuesday's vote in the European Parliament, the European Recycling Industries' Confederation (EuRIC) described the revised EU Waste Shipments Regulation (WSR) as a "significant step" towards modernising the rules governing intra-EU transfrontier shipments of waste.
But while the organisation welcomes the objective and certain new elements of the WSR, it is "deeply concerned about the uncertainty the new rules create for Europe’s recycling industries, as export restrictions on trade with non-EU countries fail to differentiate between various streams, materials and markets". Recovered paper and processed scrap metals are traded on global markets as commodities. "With insufficient demand for these resources from recycling within Europe, recycling levels and activity threaten to decline in Europe," EuRIC cautions.
Ban on exports of waste plastics will harm EU recyclers
With a view to plastic waste generated in Europe, EuRIC says it supports efforts to enhance its efficient management. "However, a complete ban on plastic exports without outlet possibilities within Europe severely harms EU plastic recyclers and the domestic plastic recycling industry."
Emmanuel Katrakis, EuRIC's secretary general commented: "A coherent EU policy is urgently needed to align environmental, climate and industrial policy objectives towards economically and ecologically sustainable solutions – a necessity also showcased by the ongoing PPWR trilogue discussions."
The ambiguity surrounding the revised export rules under the WSR creates uncertainty among market actors regarding outlets for recycled resources, according to EuRIC. The organisation reiterated its commitment to actively contribute to legislative acts aimed at fostering recycling and substituting primary raw materials with recycled materials in Europe and globally.
EuRIC welcomed the provisions of the legislation that are to digitalise waste shipment procedures and to make it easier to combat illegal waste shipments more effectively. While maintaining its position that there should be a clear distinction between waste and non-waste materials, the organisation "emphasises the importance of facilitating waste shipments as valuable resources, crucial for fostering an EU internal market for recycling".
