European recycling bodies call for 'Made in Europe' approach
The three signatories say the European plastics recycling industry faces an unprecedented crisis.
Plastics Recyclers Europe, Recycling Europe and the European Waste Management Association call on the European Commission to prioritise domestic producers in its recent Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
This regulation sets mandatory recycled content (RC) targets for plastics packaging by 2030.
The implementing act is expected to introduce a clause in the last quarter of 2026, to level the playing field between European and third country recyclers.
The bodies say the sector is being hit by numerous plant closures, declining demand, unfair international competition and growing imports of alleged ‘recyclates’, whose recycled content cannot always be effectively verified.
They are calling for the European Commission to ensure the act is built around three principles:
- Require 'Made in Europe' recyclates for packaging produced or filled in the EU
- Establish robust mirror measures for packaging produced and filled outside the EU
- Country assessment
- Facility-level verification
- Ensure effective enforcement, market surveillance and transparency throughout the value chain
The official statement declares, 'The PPWR RC targets can only deliver their environmental and industrial objectives if they create genuine demand for high-quality recycled plastics produced in Europe or under standards equivalent to those applicable within the EU.
'Only such a framework will ensure a level playing field, reinforce Europe’s strategic autonomy, encourage investment in European recycling capacity and safeguard the credibility of the PPWR recycled content requirements.'
