European recycling body warns new EU waste shipment regulations could destabilise global recycling markets without deadline extensions and improved international coordination.
The European Recycling Industries' Confederation (EuRIC) has warned that new EU waste shipment regulations could severely disrupt global recycling markets and disadvantage European recyclers, calling for immediate deadline extensions to prevent market collapse.
Under EU Waste Shipment Regulation 1157/2024 (WSR), non-OECD countries must submit requests by 21 February 2025 to continue importing recyclable materials classified as waste from the EU. Failure to meet this deadline will result in an export ban to these countries by 21 May 2027, allowing authorities sufficient time to adjust their operations.
"Based on its experience, most non-OECD countries are simply not ready yet to meet the EU's new, complex procedures," EuRIC stated, highlighting concerns about insufficient outreach from European authorities regarding the economic impacts of the new rules.
In 2021, exports of waste from the EU to non-EU countries reached 33 million tonnes, with non-ferrous scrap, paper waste, plastic waste, and textile waste mostly going to non-OECD member countries.
The organisation warns that the regulations' requirements, including extensive data collection and numerous questions, create an "overwhelming burden" on non-OECD countries' administrations.
Additionally, EuRIC cautions that if outlet markets collapse, it could lead to increased landfilling of recyclable materials within the EU and diminish public trust in waste sorting initiatives.
"A collapse of outlet markets would also artificially shrink the EU recycling industry, result in the landfilling of recyclable waste, and lead to the loss of trust in waste sorting among EU citizens," the confederation stated.
EuRIC’s proposed solutions
EuRIC has outlined five key measures for the European Commission to implement, aimed at ensuring a realistic transition to the new rules:
- Implement the 21 February 2025 deadline in a flexible manner or extend it by at least six months
- Postpone the application of 2027 export rules, to allow businesses enough time to adapt without crippling supply chains
- Actively engage with third countries to secure outlet markets and the competitiveness of the European recycling industry
- Ensure transparency on the status of feedback from non-OECD countries, including creating, publishing and keeping up-to-date a list of those countries that submitted a request according to Annex VIII of the WSR
- Promote a continuous dialogue with third countries to early identify and address potential trade barriers
"Time is of the essence to avoid the collapse of international trade in recycled materials and ensure that European recycling companies have stable market outlets," EuRIC stated, urging immediate action from the European Commission.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.