Circular Economy proposals fall short in promoting the use of renewable materials and innovation in recycling technologies
3 December 2015
Circular Economy proposals fall short in promoting the use of renewable materials and innovation in recycling technologies
Yesterday, the European Commission published its Communication on the Circular Economy and the related proposals to review the EU waste legislation.
ACE, the platform of the European beverage carton industry, supports the Commission's initiative to establish a coherent policy that in particular meets the objectives of enhancing resource efficiency, increasing recycling and boosting innovation and competitiveness.
In a successful and truly innovative European Circular Economy, access to primary resources and materials will need to be ensured, conditions need to be created for all materials to be responsibly sourced. Equally, initiatives will need to be developed that result in an increased use of renewable materials, in order to contribute to a low carbon economy and to a reduction of Europe's resource dependency.
"Our industry is firmly committed to contribute to the realization of a Circular Economy and will look with special attention to the proposed review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive", ACE Director General Bertil Heerink said. "Just increasing the individual recycling targets for key materials like paper, plastics and aluminum will not be sufficient to match innovation. Measures must be taken that strengthen existing recycling solutions, foster innovation in new recyclable materials and recycling techniques, resulting in a further increase in recycling of beverage cartons across Europe."
ACE will carefully study the Action Plan and the legislative proposals and will engage in a solution-oriented dialogue with the EU institutions and other stakeholders.
