FERVER first reaction on New Circular Economy Package

FERVER promotes a high level recycling of glass, which means that the cullet, the final product of the glass recyclers, must be suitable for re-melting activities, such as the production of new glass, foam glass, glass wool or fibre glass. The absence of a clear definition of separate collection and the current definition of recycling could allow the recycling of glass into other applications, such as aggregates. FERVER fears that high recycling targets without adaptation of the recycling definition will lead to an increase of downcycling practices. More generally, there is a lack of clarity in some parts of the proposals that can allow a minimalist implementation of the provisions of the Directive which is not in line with a real circular economy.

Furthermore, the waste legislation is extremely complex. It can be difficult for a company, but also for all players involved in the waste sector, to find their way around such complicated rules and regulations.  The harmonisation of the definitions within all the waste directives is definitely a step in the right direction to make life easier for people having to deal with the waste legislation. In the same way, the harmonization of the rules on the calculation of the recycling targets allows more clarity and therefore removes a first barrier towards a circular economy.

FERVER welcomes the rules ensuring minimum levels of performance for the extended producers’ responsibility schemes as well as the timelines defined to ensure the same level of waste management in all the European Member States within a limited period of time.

Construction and Demolition Glass Waste

One of FERVER’S challenges today is to increase the collection and recycling rate of Construction and Demolition Waste glass. This type of glass is rarely separately collected and without contamination from other materials which consequently makes its recycling into new glass extremely difficult. However, given the quantities available on the market, there is a huge potential. In its new proposal, the Commission obliges the Members States to take measures to promote sorting systems for construction and demolition waste, at least for glass and other materials listed in the proposal. For FERVER, it is a first step in the right direction.

End-of-Life Vehicles

There is no modification of the End-of-live Vehicle Directive, besides the provisions regarding the reporting of data by Member States. Glass of the End-of-Life Vehicles is of a really high quality. Making possible the recycling of this type of glass by imposing its pre-dismantling would have been a positive signal of the Commission towards a circular Economy. FERVER regrets that the Commission did not take this opportunity.