The industry association European Plastics Recyclers (EuPR, Brussels; www.eupr.org) has applauded recent calls by European environment commissioner Janez Potocnik to not only reduce the share of plastics that goes to landfill but at the same time to move away from incineration of plastics waste for energy recovery. “Given the difficult economic situation, Europe must take the opportunity to save resources and create jobs,” said EuPR president Ton Emans, adding that “plastics recyclers are ready to take on these challenges.”

Speaking at the “PolyTalk” symposium of the European plastics producers' association PlasticsEurope (Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticseurope.org), in Wiesbaden / Germany on 20-21 September – see Plasteurope.com of 28.09.2012 – Potocnik said that plastic recycling rates, averaging 24%, “are far too low across Europe.” He noted that even in countries with high recovery rates there is not enough input material available for recyclers “because most of it goes into energy recovery.”