On 10th September ETRA participated in the European Recycling Conference organised in Berlin by EuRIC– the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation, an ETRA partner.
The event brought together, recyclers, traders, consumers and machinery suppliers from across Europe.Among the principal speakers were : Regina Maria DUBE, Head of Directorate-General for Water management and resource conservation German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and Julius LANGENDORFF, Deputy Head of Unit B3 "Waste Management & Secondary Materials", DG Environment, European Commission.
Ettore Musacchi, ETRA President, made a presentation underliningsome of the critical points concerning tyre recycling and contradictions found in EU policy which, if rectified, could stimulate the use of greater quantities of RTMs to support a vibrant circular economy. He highlighted some of the most prevalent obstacles to a strong implementation of EU policy, among these: problems with the EPR, insufficient implementation of GPP, infringements of the proximity principle allowing waste to follow more distant and less sustainable destinations, and finally, the level of investment for R&D.
Musacchi’s presentation stimulated the debate and follow up contacts with the EU Commission after the event.
The Circular economy is a critical focus of EU environment policy, but needs even greater attention and support from the Commission. ETRA is working in this direction.
