European countries collected 54.4 million metric tons of recovered paper in 2020, the Brussels-based organisation says, and used 47.9 million tons “internally”.
EURIC says this means there is an annual “excess supply” of 7 million tons of recovered paper in Europe, making exports “vitally important” to the European paper recycling industry.
Under proposed revisions to the EU’s regulations, waste exports to non-OECD countries will be “restricted” and only allowed if third countries are willing to receive certain kinds and able to manage them “sustainably” (see letsrecycle.com story).
EuRIC claims the “one-size-fits-all approach” to the proposals subject all waste streams to similar export restrictions, without making a distinction between untreated wastes and recovered paper meeting EN643, a European list of standard grades for paper and board exports.
Hans van de Nes is president of ERPA, EuRIC’s recovered paper branch. He said: “The future waste shipment regulation should not hamper a well-functioning global market for the trade of recovered paper.”
With the UK having left the EU, the regulations do not affect most home nations, though they still apply to Northern Ireland, via the Northern Ireland Protocol arrangements.
Markets
Restricting access to global end-markets means costs for collection and processing will no longer be covered by revenue from recovered paper sales, Euric says.
The organisation says the proposals would lead to the need for financial contributions by “municipalities” so “proper” separate collections can continue.
Mr van de Nes said: “We understand the need to restrict exports of ‘problematic waste streams’ as identified in the new Circular Economy Action Plan to countries lacking a proper infrastructure.
“However, exports of recovered paper meeting EN643 to countries outside the European Union are absolutely crucial for the paper recycling industry.”
Capacity
ERPA says it “unconditionally” supports the transition towards a more circular economy, claiming using recovered paper for the production of new paper saves more than 60% of the energy needed when compared to primary materials.
However, “in the absence of sufficient production capacity in the Europe”, ERPA says global trade remains “crucial”.
Mr van de Nes added: “Building new capacities will take time and won’t be sufficient to close the gap between supply and demand.’’
EuRIC is an umbrella organisation of national and continental associations representing the European recycling sector. In the UK, its members include the British Metals Recycling Association and The Recycling Association, among others.
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