Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance Calls for Updated Reporting Methods : EU Packaging Recycling Data Inconstant

The latest packaging recycling data from EU Member States show inconsistencies and variances, according to a new report from the Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance (EXPRA).

EXPRA, a not for profit organisation for the packaging and packaging waste recovery industry, said that as a result, it would be premature to conclude that all Member States have reached their EU targets.

This, it said, poses a major challenge to new target setting as deeper analysis appears to be required. EXPRA’s study, which was carried out by the Alliance’s Data and Reporting Working Group, analysed Eurostat packaging recycling data from 28 EU Member States or EFTA members, over the period covering 2006-2012.

The research discloses that the variance between best and worst performers is large enough to suggest that national statistics are far from being complete, accurate and reliable. These findings are in line with previous studies on the matter, including the Waste Fitness Check, performed by BIO IS et al which found that: “Recycling and recovery targets have generally been met, but some uncertainty exists about the accuracy of the reported data”

In light of the publication of the new Circular Economy proposal by the European Commission, EXPRA explained that it wanted to highlight the need for additional research on the reasons behind these data inconsistencies.

EXPRA said that it would also specifically welcome additional measures aimed at harmonising Member States’ quality reporting to the European Commission.

It added that the latter would, in turn, facilitate the task of identifying the most cost-effective solutions. Alternative reporting, through which Member States explain their measurement system and the quality of the results, would be a plausible way forward. The organisation said that ideally, an updated, more detailed reporting methodology could be developed.

The report, Analysis of Eurostat packaging recycling data a study of the years 2006-2012, explained that as part of a periodical review and to harmonise with other waste directives, the PPWD (EU directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994 on packaging and packaging waste) is in a phase of revision and renewal.

As part of that process the European Commission has commissioned various studies and consultations. Regarding the statistics on packaging waste recycling, the following conclusions were drawn:

1. Improving the quality and validity of the reported statistics is one of the key priorities identified by the vast majority of stakeholders. The same need was written in the conclusion of the fitness check that was performed for the European Commission.

2. The European Commission concludes that recovery and recycling targets set out in the Directive have been met by nearly all MS, with a significant increase over the past 15 years (e.g. packaging waste recovery rates increased from 53.7% in 1998 (EU15) to 77.3% in 2011 (EU27) and recycling rates from 47.3% to 63.6%).

According to EXPRA the same two conclusions were drawn in the Waste Fitness Check. Consequently, if the first of the above conclusions is true (so data are not reliable enough), the second conclusion (all Member States have reached the targets) cannot be drawn with certainty.

Moreover, the authors said that if there is uncertainty about the results of the member states, it cannot be determined whether future targets are realistic. The conclusion about the quality and validity of reported statistics was said to be “merely based on general opinions”, although there was said to be “some basic statistical proof”.

“EU waste management targets are a key aspect of the upcoming Circular Economy Package, and it is imperative that the new target levels are realistic and based on reliable statistics,” commented EXPRA’s managing director, Joachim Quoden. “Data harmonisation and further emphasis on complete, accurate, and reliable statistics should therefore be at the centre of the legislative review.”

Read More

VEGAS: Raising the Stakes for Single Stream Recycling

When it comes to hotels, entertainment and gambling, in Las Vegas there are no half measures - they like to go large. And it turns out that philosophy holds true for recycling facilities too, with Republic Services recently starting work on a huge new MRF, thought to be the largest single stream facility in the world.

VIDEO: $120m Biogas Project Progressing at Huge Missouri Hogg Farm

Roeslein Alternative Energy has reached the half way point in the construction of its $120 million facility that will process farm waste and inject Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) into the national grid at Smithfield Foods hog finishing farms in Northern Missouri in the north of the state.

Hazardous Waste Mismanagement Fines for Alaskan Construction Firms

Two building firms in Anchorage, Alaska have been reached settlements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency totalling $140,000 for obtain generator and transporter identification numbers prior to transporting hazardous waste.