Pollutec Recycling

Case Study Packaging

Recycling rates vary greatly across Europe, due to different legislative and environmental measures adopted by member states. The country at the forefront of implementing plastics recycling schemes is Germany. Packaging waste concepts introduced in Germany in June 1991 have provided much valuable data for the rest of the EU. The target set was 64% to be recycled by July 1995, based on a system of collection, sorting and recycling technology. The high environmental awareness present in the German population enabled high collection rates to be achieved. However, problems with mechanical recycling were soon exposed in trying to separate mixed plastic fractions. A less ambitious 15% recycling target was set across the rest of the EU. The Germans, however, pushed towards the higher targets resulting in breakthroughs in feedstock recycling technologies. Whilst high targets like these place considerable pressure on industry, they also initiate technological development. As recycling targets are increased, research and development becomes increasingly important.

Table 10.2 Difference in EU legislation/instruments for plastic packaging recycling in 1996 [3]
Country	Materials	Objectives	Instruments
Belgium	Packaging waste	50% of packaging waste by 2001	'Cost-plus' system: collection of household waste financed by a fee.
Finland	All packaging waste	70%-85% of packaging waste recovered by 2001	Charges on non-refillable containers. Voluntary deposit-refund on plastic bottles. Shared producer responsibility.
Germany	Packaging	64% plastic recycling	Mandatory deposit/ refund system. 'DSD' system responsible for collection and recovery of packaging.
Italy	Beverage containers, packaging waste	Recycling rate of 40% plastic, 15% plastic packaging waste recovery	Mandatory consortium. Raw material charge of 10% on virgin PE sold for film production. Waste disposal charges.
Spain	Recycling decree in preparation
Sweden	All packaging waste	30% plastic recycled by 1997	Product charge on plastic packaging fillers and importers.
United Kingdom	All packaging waste	58% of packaging waste recovered by 2000 (plastic 16%)	Shared responsibility landfill tax.
PE = Polyethylene

One problem facing Europe is the lack of synergy between the regulations of individual countries as regards plastic waste. This can create barriers to trade, cause logistical problems and inhibit the commissioning of large scale recycling facilities. Examples of legislative measures applied to packaging waste in 1996, in selected EU member states are given in Table 10.2. This table highlights the differences in implementing recycling strategies in the EU. Whilst Germany has the most advanced recycling systems, in 1996 Spain had yet to have any legislation in place on packaging.

More integrated policies such as the European Packaging Directive appear to be the way ahead. The problems of differences in the cost of the various recycling options, taking particular local (country) conditions into account should, however, not be overlooked.

Table 10.2 illustrates the five different strategies adopted to stimulate recycling activity:

• Raw material charges (Italy)

Objective: To increase the use of recyclates rather than virgin material

• Waste disposal charges (Italy/UK)

Objective: Cover costs of waste disposal, reduce disposal and encourage recycling, also revenue source

• Waste product charges (Sweden/Finland)

Objective: Encourage use of reusable materials, reduce waste, source of revenue

• Waste collection charges (Belgium)

Objective: Encourage recycling and waste reduction

• Deposit-refund systems (Germany)

Objective: Encourage the return of waste products for recycling or re-use.

Whilst all these systems have advantages/disadvantages, the use of different strategies again causes problems in setting up Europe-wide recycling systems.

A further issue worth mentioning is the concept of responsibility towards waste.

In Table 10.2 both the UK and Finland have instruments of 'Shared Responsibility'.

Extended Producer Responsibility is a concept that takes in the lifetime of a product beyond its initial manufacture. It encourages producers to consider the potential environmental impact caused by their products and promotes 'Design for Recycling' (as introduced in Chapter 9) at the earliest stage of component design. This is a very important and essential concept in dealing with the problems of plastic waste. It provides a very powerful incentive for manufacturing to become environmentally responsible in the future.

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