Politics

| Who will benefit the most from the increasing volume of electrical and electronic scrap worldwide in the future? This was one of the central questions that industry representatives discussed at this year's IERC 2018 as part of a panel discussion.

| Despite the fact that legislation on e-waste requires reporting only 20 % of the worldwide e-waste collected and treated is documented. 15 years after the implementation of the European WEEE Directive 35 % of the e-waste is documented as being collected and treated.

| The European plastics recycling industry welcomes and fully supports the Plastics Strategy published by the European Commission.

| A Manchester-based plastics recycler is calling for the creation of greater demand for recycled materials in the UK following China’s decision to restrict imports of waste paper and plastics.

| The strategy was announced as “a part of the transition towards a more circular economy”. According to the commission, it “will protect the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation”.

| In light of the preliminary agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on the Circular Economy Package in December 2017 CEWEP appeals to the Member States not to see landfill diversion as a burden, but as an opportunity to improve their waste management systems, with the support of the EU, and to divert waste that can be recycled and recovered from landfills as soon and as much as possible.

| EXPRA, WEEE Forum and EucoLight call on policymakers to introduce explicit obligations for online sellers under the new waste legislation

| APEAL (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging) has welcomed the announcement of a balanced Circular Economy Package.

| The European Stell Association (Eurofer) claims that the agreement only goes part of the way.

| The EU institutions reached a compromise today with member states on crucial waste laws to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Europe. But all parts could have much more to secure stronger recycling rates and prevent waste, says the EEB.

| The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) submitted comments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in response to notifications made by the Government of China on November 15 regarding proposed scrap import standards

| The European Plastics Converters Association (EuPC) and the British Plastics Federation (BPF) have drafted a joint position paper, emphasising the need to develop a deep and comprehensive agreement that eliminates customs and minimises possible non-tariff barriers for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.

| After an 18-hour-long last negotiating meeting between the Council and the European Parliament an agreement to review the Waste Framework Directive, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive and the Landfill Directive has been found.

| A new study by Plastics Recyclers Europe shows that the 65% recycling target for plastic packaging is achievable by 2025. The study determines a set of measures and necessary tools that will result in attaining this recycling rate.