EAA calls for ‘bold measures’ to boost recycling

Europe – In light of the forthcoming review of EU waste legislation, the European Aluminium Association (EAA) is advocating higher recycling targets and ‘phasing out landfilling of end-use recyclable goods’.

The organisation′s director general Gerd Götz insists ′bold policy measures are needed to secure the availability of aluminium scrap in Europe – a key resource for increasing recycling rates and one of Europe′s energy security components′. He calls for investment and innovation in the fields of collection and sorting, as well as greater consistency in reporting procedures and clearer definitions of recycling. 

Furthermore, aluminium ought to be recognised as a ′permanent material′, Götz maintains. For instance, its durability means that 75% of the aluminium ever produced in still in use. In addition, its unique properties mean aluminium can save ′more resources than are needed to produce it′.

These factors are the ′preconditions′ for an effective and successful circular economy, Götz stresses. Stopping illegal scrap exports and reducing scrap leakage are also dubbed ′essential′ to reducing Europe′s dependency on resource and energy imports. ′The first and minimum step would be to set up credible metal scrap export monitoring systems,′ Götz ventures. 

For more information, visit: www.alueurope.eu