Plastics Recycling Update Magazine: Study: Europe moving into PRF era

Plastics Recycling Update Magazine: Study: Europe moving into PRF era

Study: Europe moving into PRF era By Editorial Staff, Plastics Recycling Update September 23, 2015 Government mandates for higher plastics recovery rates will drive significant investments in plastics recovery facilities in the next decade, according to consulting firm ecoprog. A report by the Germany-based firm estimates Europe may add up to 300 plastics recovery facilities (PRFs) by the year 2025, according to a press release. That's a 25 percent increase over the number on the continent today. The main market driver is the European Union's Waste Framework Directive, which requires that by 2020 at least half of the plastics in the municipal stream must be recovered, according to the study. Almost no EU member country has reached the 50 percent goal, the report states. France, Spain and Italy are three large countries with a lot of catching up to do, the report shows, and Eastern Europe also holds strong development potential. In other countries considered to have more advanced waste management systems – the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Norway – failures to hit recycling targets are tied to the fact much material is incinerated. Switzerland, for example, recovers only 10 percent of its plastic and burns the remaining 90 percent.

To return to the Plastics Recycling Update newsletter, click here.

Source: Resource Recycling
Plastics Recycling Update Magazine: Study: Europe moving into PRF era
Study: Europe moving into PRF era By Editorial Staff, Plastics Recycling Update September 23, 2015 Government mandates for higher plastics recovery rates will drive significant investments in plastics recovery facilities in the next decade, according to consulting firm ecoprog. A report by the Germany-based firm estimates Europe may add up to 300 plastics recovery facilities (PRFs) by the year 2025, according to a press release. That's a 25 percent increase over the number on the continent today. The main market driver is the European Union's Waste Framework Directive, which requires that by 2020 at least half of the plastics in the municipal stream must be recovered, according to the study. Almost no EU member country has reached the 50 percent goal, the report states. France, Spain and Italy are three large countries with a lot of catching up to do, the report shows, and Eastern Europe also holds strong development potential. In other countries considered to have more advanced waste management systems – the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Norway – failures to hit recycling targets are tied to the fact much material is incinerated. Switzerland, for example, recovers only 10 percent of its plastic and burns the remaining 90…