European paper and beverage carton industries welcome European Parliament’s views on renewable and recyclable materials

Jul 14, 2015

European paper and beverage carton industries welcome European Parliament’s views on renewable and recyclable materials

On Thursday 9 July, the European Parliament gave a clear message to the European Commission to address crucial issues in an ambitious circular economy package. These include ending the landfill and incineration of recyclable waste, applying mandatory separate collection schemes and making the bio-economy an integral part of the circular economy.

The European paper and beverage carton industries have called upon the European Commission for a long time to support the industry’s efforts in further improving recycling, but also to extend the scope of the circular economy package from reducing waste to including measures that foster responsible sourcing of raw materials and particularly promote the use of responsibly sourced renewable materials.

Marco Mensink, CEPI Director General says: “The European Parliament has now given a clear mandate for making the bio-economy an integral part of the circular economy. Renewability is nature’s way of circularity, clearly recognized by MEPs in their vote.”

Bertil Heerink, ACE Director General adds: “A well-functioning circular economy will benefit from an increased use of renewable resources. We therefore welcome Thursday’s vote that underlines the importance of shifting from finite to renewable resources. We are looking forward to a constructive dialogue with the European Parliament on all topics related to the circular economy.”

Note to the Editor

CEPI aisbl – The Confederation of European Paper Industries

CEPI is a Brussels-based non-profit organisation regrouping the European pulp and paper industry and championing industry’s achievements and the benefits of its products. Through its 18 member countries (17 European Union members plus Norway) CEPI represents some 515 pulp, paper and board producing companies across Europe, ranging from small and medium sized companies to multi-nationals, and 940 paper mills. Together they represent 23% of world production.

For more information please visit: http://www.cepi.org/

ACE aisbl – The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment

ACE provides a European platform for beverage carton manufacturers Tetra Pak, SIG Combibloc and Elopak and their paperboard suppliers in Europe Stora Enso and BillerudKorsnäs to benchmark and profile cartons as renewable, recyclable and low carbon packaging solutions. Engaging with stakeholders and partners seeking high environmental stewardship, it contributes expertise to EU policy, legislation and standard‐setting.

For more information please visit: http://www.beveragecarton.eu

For further information please contact:
CEPI: ULRICH LEBERLE, RAW MATERIALS DIRECTOR

TEL +32 (0)2 627 49 23 •
ACE: MAJA DRČA, POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT

TEL +32 (0)2 504 07 12 •