Plastic recycling processors fail to meet emission reduction targets and will impose a 20% government surcharge-From German

Plastic processors fail to meet emission reduction targets and will impose a 20% government surcharge-From German

So far, the use of plastic recycled materials is almost entirely based on economic benefits.When this foundation no longer exists, the use and demand of recycled materials will decrease, and the fixed cost of collecting, processing, and recycling waste plastics cannot be matched with new plastic materials. Price volatility competition.

New plastic materials used for packaging have fallen by 30% in the past five years. The decline in crude oil prices has accelerated the decline in the prices of new plastic materials. It is foreseeable that the trend of low prices for new plastic materials will continue in the future. However, the carbon dioxide released by using new plastic materials to produce products is completely unaffected by the price.

Therefore, the German BVSE Plastics Recycling Association called for the creation of comparable competitive conditions (fair playing field) to open up future prospects for plastic recycling, and proposed a three-point plan. The BVSE Association has 880 members and is the most important waste disposal and recycling industry association in Germany and Europe. There are 9 branches under BVSE, such as waste paper branch, waste plastic branch, waste spinning branch, etc. The association advises the German government on waste disposal in Germany and bidding for community waste recycling companies.

1) Recycling plastics to improve the climate of the earth

The goal must be a significant reduction in the carbon dioxide emissions of raw materials used by plastic processors. Therefore, the bvse Plastic Recycling Association has proposed a two-stage model to achieve a significant reduction in the use of raw materials in the plastics processing industry in a transparent and reliable manner.

In the first phase, which will take effect in early 2021, carbon dioxide emissions will be reduced, and the emissions of raw materials used will be reduced by an average of 25% (the reference point is the production of new products).

In the second phase, which will take effect in 2030, carbon dioxide must be reduced by 40%. Only plastic recycling can achieve this goal. Through the recycling of recycled materials, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and keep consistent with the set goals.

If the binding emission reduction target is not met, a 20% government surcharge should be imposed on the net product price of new products used for climate protection investment. Every plastics processor is obliged to provide an annual statement.

2) Unified quality assurance:

The recycling of plastics from the dual system series can only be carried out in the so-called final receiver system so that it can be considered when the recycling quota is met. Their suitability should be checked twice a year and recorded in the certificate.

If the certificate of the final recipient system has very different qualities in terms of statements about the performance of each system. In some cases, this can lead to severe competition distortions, which must be corrected.

For plastic recycling, there is a lack of a neutral institution to check the quality of certificates and audit reports, for example: in the EuCertPlast system. Therefore, the plastic recycler in BVSE recommends ZSVR as a neutral institution to check certificates and audit reports.

3) Public procurement:

In terms of plastic recycling, the obligation of public procurement to use recycled products first has been largely ignored.

In order to finally implement the legal requirements, it must be demonstrated that public procurement is being implemented. Therefore, if the obligation to use recycled materials is not fulfilled, there is no possibility of appeal or sanctions, which is an urgent need to refocus.

The annual report is required to show that if recycled products are not used, the public authority must announce the statement. This demand also includes contracts awarded by the public sector, and the obligation to prioritize the use of recycled products involves the federal and state levels.