Member States today agreed their negotiating mandate on Circular Economy waste proposals, paving the way for trialogues with the European Commission and Parliament. EUROFER, CEPI and Eurometaux now appeal for all EU institutions to prove their Circular Economy ambition, by working constructively towards a single measure of real recycling.
Axel Eggert, EUROFER’s Director General: “Every institution has now acknowledged that Member States need to start calculating recycling rates at the same point, which is not the case under present legislation. However, the Parliament has been the only institution to propose the right solution: a single measure without derogation. We’ll be working with policymakers to make the best of the proposals, and to aim for one measurement at the input point of the final recycling process. The worst possible outcome is one where we are left with a permanent loophole that allows Member States to circumvent requirements”.
Sylvain Lhote, CEPI’s Director General: “Today three of Europe’s recycling leaders have united to emphasise the importance of measuring ‘real’ recycling rates. Making the Circular Economy happen in Europe means we must be able to measure the actual recycling rate. This will allow better targeting of investment where it matters most – better systems of collection and sorting that enhance the quality and quantity of what is recycled which in turn boost industry development”
Guy Thiran, Eurometaux’s Director General: “Until we have a common method to measure how much of our waste gets recycled, it doesn’t matter whether the EU’s headline recycling target is 65 per cent or 70 percent. EU negotiators need to make a strong calculation method their top priority. We can only gage the realism and ambition of recycling targets once we know what Member States will be measuring”
About CEPI: CEPI is the pan-European association representing the forest fibre & paper industry. Through its 18 national associations CEPI gathers over 500 companies operating 940 paper mills across Europe producing paper, cardboard, pulp & other biobased products. Building on its target of achieving a 74% effective recycling rate within the next three years CEPI is at the forefront of making the low-carbon circular bioeconomy a reality in Europe through its 2050 ‘Investment Roadmap’.
Contact Person: Ben Kennard, Press Officer,
About Eurometaux: Eurometaux is the decisive voice of non-ferrous metals producers and recyclers in Europe. With an annual turnover of €120bn, our members represent an essential industry for European society that businesses in almost every sector depend on. Together, we are leading Europe towards a more circular future through the endlessly recyclable potential of metals.
Contact Person: Chris Heron, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, , +32 493 18 89 63
About EUROFER: The European Steel Association (EUROFER) is located in Brussels and was founded in 1976. It represents the entirety of steel production in the European Union. EUROFER members are steel companies and national steel federations throughout the EU. The major steel companies and national steel federations in Switzerland and Turkey are associate members.
Contact Person: Charles de Lusignan, Communications Manager,