May 27-The supply of PET bottles for European recycling has become very tight, according to the European Plastics Recyclers (EuPR) trade association.
Recycling capacity has been following the increasing trend of PET consumption and collection, says EuPR, but current market forces have reduced the output of European recycling plants. EuPR attributes the situation to factors such as currency exchange rates, a longer winter (in 2009/10), weight reduction in the bottles, and increasing exports to the Far East.
The association says things are getting critical for some recycling operations as their feedstock becomes scarce, and urges the following remedies:
Increase collection ratios.
Focus on local recycling.
Harmonise major differences between countries in quality and/or quantity of collected materials.
Improve security of supply before Europe loses trained and experienced recyclers.
An EuPR spokesman said: Focusing on European recycling is key to the long-term sustainable management of resources. Leakage of bottles to the Far East is causing a more unsustainable situation, which will affect converters, brand owners and end users.
Furthermore, the benefit from material collected with funding from European taxpayers is being misused outside the European Union, instead of supporting the European recyclers in helping Europe towards a recycling society.
Recycling capacity has been following the increasing trend of PET consumption and collection, says EuPR, but current market forces have reduced the output of European recycling plants. EuPR attributes the situation to factors such as currency exchange rates, a longer winter (in 2009/10), weight reduction in the bottles, and increasing exports to the Far East.
The association says things are getting critical for some recycling operations as their feedstock becomes scarce, and urges the following remedies:
Increase collection ratios.
Focus on local recycling.
Harmonise major differences between countries in quality and/or quantity of collected materials.
Improve security of supply before Europe loses trained and experienced recyclers.
An EuPR spokesman said: Focusing on European recycling is key to the long-term sustainable management of resources. Leakage of bottles to the Far East is causing a more unsustainable situation, which will affect converters, brand owners and end users.
Furthermore, the benefit from material collected with funding from European taxpayers is being misused outside the European Union, instead of supporting the European recyclers in helping Europe towards a recycling society.
