Ref. Ares(2017)5734324 - 23/11/2017
Ref. Ares(2019)5336506 - 21/08/2019
Position Paper
On the upcoming proposal for a
European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy
Introduction
Ecoembes strongly support the aim of putting forward a strategy to reduce plastic waste and raise
awareness on the environmental impact that plastics has on the environment. We believe Europe
has a responsibility to lead on policies to increase the levels of environmental protection and
safeguard our planet’s marine life. We are therefore encouraged to see that the Commission will
come forward with concrete plans to improve plastic recycling, including the issue of marine litter
and plastics.
Our industry is keen to continue to play a leading role in fostering the recycling efforts of Europeans,
helping to minimise the effects of plastic waste in Europe, knowing that plastic is necessary in every
aspect of the production cycle as the Commission notes in its plastics strategy outline. It is therefore
very important to raise awareness about both the crucial role plastic plays in our society and the
necessity of managing it correctly when it reaches its end-of-life phase in order to be able to benefit
from its many uses while minimizing its environmental impact.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes for packaging waste have been at the forefront
of the transition towards a circular economy for the past 20 years. We therefore welcome the
Commission’s recognition of EPR schemes, as a stakeholder currently providing a holistic approach
to implementing the circular economy and reducing waste through efficient separate collection for
plastic packaging.
Our recommendations for the Commission’s Plastics Strategy
From our perspective, the strategy should tackle the following issues:
1) Improving the recyclability of products made of plastics
Products made of plastics usually include more than one polymer and often those polymers are not
compatible for recycling. For this reason, the Commission should make it a key priority to find
mechanisms and incentives to introduce Ecodesign measures (recyclability criteria) for all plastic
products placed on the market.
2) Increase recycling rates of plastics
Improving plastic recycling rates is one the milestones of the future plastics strategy, this implies
putting in place an efficient waste management systems for plastics coming from different waste
sources.
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In the interests of delivering the best solutions to tackling plastic waste management, we believe
that plastic waste management schemes should be determined by Member States. From our
experience, a specific waste management system that works well in one country may be inadequate
in another. This is why we support the carrying out of a life-cycle analysis at Member State level in
order to evaluate the potential benefits of the new systems.
In parallel to improving plastics recycling, a strong Research and Development strategy at EU level
is also needed to find added value applications for plastic products that are currently more difficult to
be recycled. Implementing mechanisms to foster its consumption such as green public procurement
is necessary to effectively close the loop.
3) Curb littering
Littering is a global environmental issue that requires action from all stakeholders, including national
authorities and citizens. Thanks to the development in waste management carried out in over the
last 20 years, Europe now has an opportunity through the Plastics Strategy to take the lead in
finding solutions to this challenge, not least by sharing its know-how and expertise with those
regions that has less advanced waste programmes.
Marine litter is mainly caused by land-based litter escaping the waste treatment systems and
reaching the oceans, which in some countries is a result of lack of comprehensive waste
management systems while in others it is clearly related to behaviour of citizens. For this reason,
tackling littering requires a double approach:
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Raising awareness on environmental protection through national education programmes
aimed to commit citizens to avoid any kind of litter.
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Promoting worldwide the implementation of comprehensive and efficient waste management
schemes covering all the territories while being easily accessible for all citizens.
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Marine litter is a particularly sensitive issue and extra effort should be dedicated to identify
the main sources of plastics ending up in the oceans and implementing proportional and
evidence-based measures to prevent it.
About Ecoembes Founded in 1996, ECOEMBES is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system for
household packaging (paper and cardboard, metals and plastics) in Spain. ECOEMBES brings
together more than 12.000 producers and cooperates with 8.000 local authorities to coordinate and
ensure the effective operation of the EPR system for household packaging waste to achieve the
prevention, recycling and recovery targets in the most sustainable and efficient way. At EU level,
ECOEMBES is a founding member of the Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance (EXPRA).
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