EuRIC to defend interests of Europe’s recycling industries

Europe – The European Ferrous Recovery and Recycling Federation (EFR), the European Recovered Paper Association (ERPA) and the European Metal Trade and Recycling Federation (EUROMETREC) have jointly founded the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC).

This new international body, to be based in Brussels, will be the umbrella organisation of the recycling industries in Europe. Its goal will be to promote the efforts of recycling companies operating throughout Europe, working closely with the EU institutions as well as with all relevant stakeholders.

Through its member associations, EuRIC represents hundreds of small, medium and large companies involved in the collection, processing, recycling and trading of various streams of recyclable materials. Former BIR world president Dominique Maguin of France is EuRIC’s first president while its vice presidents are: Alicia García-Franco Zúñiga, director general of the Spanish Federation of Recovery and Recycling (FER); and Ian Hetherington, director general of the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA).

The EuRIC board also comprises members representing 17 national associations from a variety of EU countries, such as the German Federal Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management (BVSE), the French Federation of Recycling Enterprises (FEDEREC), the Spanish Association of recovered paper and cardboard (REPACAR) and the Hungarian National Association of Recyclers (HOE).

During the late-October BIR Convention in Paris, EuRIC secretary-general Emmanuel Katrakis said that the recycling industries in Europe need a strong organisation to represent their interests. ‘EuRIC will provide the legislators and other stakeholders in the recycling chain with information at EU level and will act as a lobbying organisation for its member federations,’ he stated. ‘Where needed, we will explain the interests of the industry and defend these.’

According to Katrakis, European recyclers should be represented at EU levels because environmental legislation – such as new circular economy proposals – is ever changing. ‘But also the scarcity of raw materials and free trade in recyclables are important issues,’ he continued. ‘We have to get the message through that the recycling industry is part of the solution. That’s why EuRIC wants to engage in constructive discussions with all relevant institutions.’