World record paper recycling rate achieved in Europe

Archiv – Publishing its 2008 Monitoring report the European Recovered Paper Council says it has achieved a world record level of paper recycling in 2008. The rate reached 66.6 % which is even higher than the target set for in its Commitment for 2010 of 66%. The total amount recycled in paper mills came to 60.3 million tonnes, an increase of 8.2 million tonnes since 2004, the base year for the target the industry set itself.
’Despite the financial crisis hitting everyone in Europe the recycling rate jumped up, not down. This is a major success for the industry and shows that the infrastructure is in place to effectively collect and recycle paper in Europe,’ explains Jori Ringman, Secretary of the ERPC.Europe | Publishing its 2008 Monitoring report the European Recovered Paper Council says it has achieved a world record level of paper recycling in 2008. The rate reached 66.6 % which is even higher than the target set for in its Commitment for 2010 of 66%. The total amount recycled in paper mills came to 60.3 million tonnes, an increase of 8.2 million tonnes since 2004, the base year for the target the industry set itself.
’Despite the financial crisis hitting everyone in Europe the recycling rate jumped up, not down. This is a major success for the industry and shows that the infrastructure is in place to effectively collect and recycle paper in Europe,’ explains Jori Ringman, Secretary of the ERPC.
’The rate has far exceeded our target and we are extremely pleased but we must also express caution. The recycling rate, which is the ratio between the recycling and consumption of paper, may fall temporarily when the economy recovers but recycling is an intrinsically selfadjusting
mechanism which with a short time lag will adapt and allow the industry to continue to deliver steadily increasing recycling rates,’ he added;
The 14 members of the Council have also made significant progress in the qualitative targets also laid out in its Commitment particularly with respect to eco-design, improved recyclability of products and in waste prevention. The ground-breaking, science-based work done jointly by the paper value chain has already resulted in guidance and practical tools which ensure that materials and methods can be chosen that do not hamper keeping paper in the recycling loop.
A particularly successful action was the voluntary substitution of the chemical Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP) from adhesives used by the industry with safe and cost-effective alternatives that protect food safety. ’Over the last year the industry has proved again that it is committed and responsible by responding voluntarily to concerns raised in the field of food safety,’ concludes Jori Ringman.