CEPI response to Circular Economy
European Commission delivers value: Circular Economy package recognises renewability and closes the loop
The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) welcomes the Circular Economy package that was launched by the European Commission today. "Our expectations have been met. This major policy initiative has correctly identified the synergies needed to find real solutions. The package has reached a level of ambition rarely seen in policymaking," says Marco Mensink, CEPI Director General.
By recognising the contribution of biomass and bio-based products to the Circular Economy the European Commission now takes into account that circularity in many cases starts with raw materials from renewable sources. CEPI is looking forward to concrete actions in the field of bio-based product in the future.
In addition, the European Commission has recognised the importance of ending waste management options that do not create value for Europe.
Marco Mensink says: "It is great to see that the Commission recognises the need for separate collection of paper, providing good quality raw materials. We also appreciate that further limits to landfilling are being put in place". This is a file where the needs of industry closely align with many other stakeholder positions. The Commission proposes a logical step forward. "A step that should be taken from legislation to reality as soon as possible."
CEPI also believes that the Commission is right in recognising recyclability as waste prevention and in harmonising the method for the calculation of recycling rates to make data more comparable and reliable. The European paper industry, together with its partners in the paper value chain, is about to publish the European Declaration on Paper Recycling committing to a further increase in paper recycling from today's already high 71,7% paper recycling rate.
