Environmental priorities discussed at TEPPFA forum

The European Plastics Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA) hosted First Green Week Official Satellite event, in Brussels on the 29th April. Several high-level speakers gave presentations to over 140 industry professionals, politicians and the media.

The main focus of the event was to discuss the environmental impact of plastics and find some solutions for on going problems such as recycling and landfill. Throughout the discussions, the ban on plastic landfill was agreed to be necessary but there also needs to be more work with the re-use of plastics and also recycling. All of these solutions have to be compliant to the EU laws in the REACH agreement.

“Plastic is one of those materials that can be recycled over and over again. Streams in which we collect need to be organised for recycling,” said Mr Falkenberg, Director General of DG Entertainment.

Speakers from industry stakeholders and non-government organisations debated circular economy. In the workshop on environmental sustainability of construction works products it was highlighted that they should be using “green” products and recycled or re-using products in construction.

Christophe Sykes, Director General of Construction products CPE, highlighted the need for clear references in the sustainable building sector. Environmental assessment methods would provide the opportunity for the Commission to work with industry representatives, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) practitioners and standardization bodies towards a single method by 2017.