Plastics recycling smashes EU targets

Simeon Goldstein, packagingnews.co.uk, 06 October 2009

 

Plastic packaging recyclers have called for more European-level support despite smashing last year's recycling targets.

 

European region countries recycled around 29% of plastics packaging in 2008, compared to the 22.5% target, according to the latest 'Compelling facts about plastics' report by four European plastics industry bodies.

 

But, Plastics Europe, European Plastics Converters, European Plastics Recyclers and the European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations said more needed to be done to support the plastics recycling sector.

 

Total plastics recycling, including autobile and agricultural films, rose by 0.4% to 21% in 2008.

 

The plastics bodies said in a statement that it was struggling to cope with falling demand for plastics and falling virgin material prices. It said it would like to see more legislation to boost green procurement and innovation and provide incentives for energy efficiency.

 

MEP for the North West of England Sajjad Karim supports the industry on this issue. "The plastics industry needs support in these times of crisis, not only for the benefit of its 1.6m employees, but also for the environment," he said.

 

The UK collected around 238,000 tonnes of plastics packaging for recycling in 2008 of which 90% was bottles, according to recycling charity Recoup.

 

Kerbside bottle collection tonnages increased by 19% compared to 2007, although still less than 40% of bottles used in the UK are not recycled.