By Martin Banks - 30th September 2009
We cannot turn our backs on the recycling market now
Sajjad Karim
British MEP Sajjad Karim has backed calls for more support for Europe's ailing plastics industry.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Karim also urged EU policymakers "not to turn their backs on the recycling market."
He was responding to a new report which shows a slowdown in plastics converters' demand for the first time in 34 years.
Converters are the companies and associations which turn raw materials into plastics.
The report, "Compelling facts about plastics," says recycling in Europe still increased (from 20.4 per cent in 2007 to 21.3 per cent in 2008) but the figures represent a slowdown compared to the considerable increases recorded in recent years.
The report says that 48.7 per cent of plastics waste in Europe – 12.2 million tonnes – still ends up in landfill.
The report, jointly produced by European Plastics Converters – the representative body of plastics converters – says the situation could get worse as the recycling industry is still struggling with the impact of the economic downturn.
Karim, a member of parliament's industry, research and energy committee, told the conference the report showed that more support was needed at an EU-level for the plastics industry.
He said, "I have companies involved in the industry in my constituency which are struggling along with many others throughout the EU.
"If the EU is serious about wanting to promote climate-friendly energies then it has to support the plastics recycling market."
He said the EU should make environmental policy an "integral part" of its recovery plan.
Another measure both he and the EUPC are demanding is the provision of incentives for energy efficiency-related matters.
"These measures are well in line with the sustainable development policy of the EU and should be seriously considered.
"Legislation such as the waste framework directive already shows the commitment of European legislators to efficient waste management policies.
"If we want these efforts to bring rewards, we cannot turn our backs on the recycling market now."
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