Brussels on ‘high alert’: recycling shows put on hold

Belgium – Government officials say that Brussels is now on the ‘highest alert level’ with warnings of an ‘imminent’ terrorist threat, resulting in the cancellation of the annual Plastics Recycling Show Europe as well as the Petcore Europe conference.

The annual events were to take place in the Belgian capital this week, but have ‘regrettably been postponed until further notice’. At the root is the Europe-wide manhunt for a suspected Islamist militant – which saw Brussels in a state of ‘lockdown’ for three days straight since the weekend. Some universities and urban hotspots remain closed, though public transport has been resumed.

‘What we fear is an attack similar to the one in Paris, with several individuals who could possibly launch several attacks at the same time in multiple locations,’ Prime Minister Charles Michel told a news conference early on Sunday evening.

The organisation of the Plastics Recyclers Europe congress comments: ‘Crain Communications takes its responsibilities extremely seriously and has a duty of care to its customers, staff, suppliers and colleagues and we will not in any way risk their safety and security. A decision will be made at a later date regarding when will be a suitable time for the event to take place.’

Recycling International will provide details regarding the new date and venue of the events once they become available.