Better implementation of existing legislation key to increasing recycling

The key to increasing rates of recycling and recovery of plastics, as well as the creation of jobs in Europe is to better implement existing waste legislation, according to the President of PlasticsEurope Italia.

Speaking during IdentiPlas 2015, Plastic Europe’s international conference on the recycling and recovery of plastics, Daniele Ferrari highlighted how the end of life of plastics is central for a sustainable development of the industry.

“Our prime duty is to have a constructive dialogue with institutions and regulators in order to create the right conditions to reach environmental and societal objectives without compromising competitiveness,” he said.

“The European plastics industry undertook a major action since 2011, with the Zero Plastics to Landfill initiative, and we need to continue working in the right direction. A better implementation and enforcement of existing waste legislation has the potential to increase recycling and recovery rates while creating jobs in Europe,” he added.

Prof Dr Helmut Maurer, European Commission, DG Environment, underlined some key aspects of the Commission’s ambitious Circular Economy Package to be released this autumn.

“We should focus on implementation; we need to have a measured approach with a legislation that effectively triggers investments into green economy and creates jobs. We also will have to concentrate on products to close the circle towards a sustainable economy," Maurer said.  

The 12th edition of the IdentiPlas event gathered more than 200 guests, including representatives from European municipalities, policy and decision makers, waste management organisations, manufacturers, academics and NGOs in Rome on 29 and 30 April.