The European Federation for Waste Management and Environmental Services (FEAD, Brussels / Belgium; www.fead.be) has released a position paper pointing out the key factors that should be taken into account during European discussions on chemical recycling. The industry association, which represents more than 3,000 waste management companies across Europe, noted that the debate on plastics pollution has reduced the problem to a technique for recycling polymers while chemical recycling is a much broader concept.

FEAD states three areas, which it said are “pivotal” to ongoing discussions. These are to keep the definition of recycling in the EU waste framework directive unchanged, as it feels it “appropriately” addresses chemical recycling in its current definition. Secondly, the organisation is calling for an independent study to assess the CO₂ footprint and cost analysis of chemical recycling versus mechanical recycling. Finally, FEAD is asking for chemical recovery plants to be classified as waste treatment facilities that comply with the relevant waste legislation.

The association has also welcomed the European “Green Deal” adopted on 11 December 2019. The FEAD took the opportunity to repeat its view that a circular economy can only be achieved through stronger demand for recycled material, efficient markets and fair competition.

To this end, FEAD is asking the EU for strong and mandatory rules for ecodesign to prevent waste, to consider CO₂ emissions throughout the entire waste management chain and to recognise energy recovery from waste as an “ally” to boost recycling. If the EU sticks to “robust facts and figures” and sets up policy tools that make goals achievable and affordable, then it could become climate neutral by 2050, FEAD said.

In September 2019, European Bioplastics (EUBP, Berlin / Germany; www.european-bioplastics.org) criticised FEAD for its position paper on biodegradable and bioplastics, which it termed “incomplete” and “misconceived” – see Plasteurope.com of 27.09.2019.