Page 19 from: May 2008
n e w s For daily free global recycling news, visit
May 2008 019
WORLDWIDE SUPPLIER OF
SHREDDER
REPLACEMENT
CASTINGS
� HAMMERS
� GRATES
� BREAKER BARS
� REJECT DOORS ESTBLISHED 1934
LEVAND STEEL
& SUPPLY
CORPORATION
Levand House � 1849 Crestwood Blvd.
Irondale, AL 35210
tel + 1 (205) 956 1111
fax + 1 (205) 956 2256
www.levand.com
advertisement
The Environment Commit-
tee of the European Parliament has
voted to reinstate most of the Parlia-
ment’s first-reading amendments of
the Waste Framework Directive that
were not taken up by the EU Council of
Ministers. In addition, it has reiterated
the Parliament’s call for reuse and recy-
cling targets.
Member States of the European Union
are asked to establish waste preven-
tion programmes not later than five
years after the revised directive’s entry
into force and to determine appropri-
ate specific targets to achieve the 2012
target and further significant reduc-
tions in waste generation by 2020.
‘That’s something that worries me,’
says Ross Bartley, Environmental &
Technical Director of the BIR world
recycling body. ‘I believe for some
countries those targets are very easy to
reach, but for other European countries
which are lagging behind it might hin-
der development seriously.’
Members of the European Parliament
(MEPs) are also calling for reuse and
recycling targets: by 2020, reuse and
recycling rates should be increased to a
minimum of 50% by weight for house-
hold refuse and to a minimum of 70%
by weight for construction/demolition
waste and manufacturing/industrial
waste. Member States with a recycling
rate below 5% in either category – or no
official figures – would be given an addi-
tional five years to reach these goals. By
2015, Member States would have to set
up separate waste collection schemes
for at least the following: paper, metal,
plastic, glass, textiles, other biodegrad-
able wastes, oils and hazardous wastes.
‘I think some European countries which
are less developed would be hindered
by these targets,’ comments Mr Bartley.
Another focus for dissatisfaction
among recyclers, he adds, ‘is the defini-
tion in the text of who actually a “recy-
cler” is’. The only defined recyclers are
the producers of recycled final products
for consumers in the proposed defini-
tion, and that works against an inclu-
sive European recycling society, but
creates an exclusive industry, BIR states
in a letter to the Parliament.
In the vote, Members backed the Com-
mission’s position that incineration
should be categorised as recovery pro-
vided it meets a certain energy-effi-
ciency standard. ‘But that’s nothing
new,’ comments Mr Bartley. ‘We
believe waste for energy is already
counting as recovery under the current
law.’ Amendments seeking to delete
the energy-efficiency formula were
rejected, but MEPs voted for the for-
mula to be reviewed by co-legislators
within two years of the directive’s entry
into force. It is now up to Member
States in Council of Ministers’ discus-
sions to accept the Committee’s posi-
tion if they want to achieve an early
agreement on the directive.
www.bir.org
BIR concern over latest
EU vote
Japan is to urge its citizens to carry
their own chopsticks instead of using
disposable ones and to take their own
bags when going shopping.
The Cabinet of Japan has approved a set
of plans to promote a recycling society,
says Tsuyoshi Kawakami, the official in
charge of recycling at the country’s Envi-
ronment Ministry. The aim is to reduce
refuse production by both industry and
individuals to 25.3 million tonnes by fis-
cal year 2015; this would equate to a
60% cut compared to fiscal year 2000.
‘We have not been able to break away
from the mass consumption society,’
adds Mr Kawakami. Environmentalists
have criticised the widespread use of
disposable wooden chopsticks in Japan.
Japan plans for 60%
refuse reduction
UK-based waste management
company Shanks Group has acquired
several companies which together con-
stitute the Foronex Group of Belgium.
A leading player in the Benelux wood
waste and by-products market, Foronex
handles approximately 900 000 tonnes
of material per annum with its principal
suppliers being the timber and waste
management industries. Major outlets
for its products include board manufac-
turers and, to an increasing extent,
operators of biomass production facili-
ties. Foronex employs some 250 people
and operates approximately 200 trucks.
The companies have been acquired
from Joos Wemel and other members
of his family for a cash consideration of
Euro 13 million (Euro 23 million gross
of net debt acquired).
Commenting on the transaction,
Shanks Group Plc’s Chief Executive
Tom Drury says: ‘We are delighted with
this acquisition which better positions
the group to take advantage of the
converging waste and energy markets,
an increasingly important component
of modern waste management. It also
provides further integration in the sup-
ply chain for waste wood, a major out-
put from our recycling centres in both
the Benelux and the UK.’
www.shanks.co.uk
Shanks acquires Belgian
wood recycler
RI_082_NEWS.indd 8 14-05-2008 14:07:44
