Study to highlight recycling contribution to climate goals

And, the report is likely suggest that all waste targets should be extended to cover the commercial and industrial sectors too.

The study has been conducted by research organisations Prognos and CE Delft, on behalf of the European waste management associations FEAD, CEWEP, and the RDF Industry Group, all of which have UK members.

According to a statement from FEAD, it will show that achieving a 65% recycling rate by 2035 and capping landfill at 10% in both the UK and the EU, will result in an annual reduction of around 150 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent compared to 2018.

This has been calculated by taking into account emissions avoided by the energy and manufacturing sectors not using fossil fuels and virgin materials.

According to FEAD – which lists the Environmental Services Association, the UK waste sector’s trade body, as members – the study “highlights the importance of continuing to move waste up the waste hierarchy and further developing circular economy policies”.

Carbon

The CO₂ savings that could be achieved through the use of recovered raw materials will become “increasingly important in reducing resource use and achieving climate protection goals”, FEAD claims.

This comes after the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, described recycling as a “red herring” last month, saying the focus should instead be on plastic reduction (see letsrecycle.com story).

Achievement of the CO2 reduction will be possible on the provision that effort is made to further incentivise recycling capacity – FEAD

EfW

The study’s analysis will show that the largest CO₂ reductions are achieved through reducing the quantities of biogenic material waste streams – including paper, cardboard and biowaste – sent to landfill.

Under one of the scenarios in the study (which assumes higher recycling targets and the diversion of all recyclable and recoverable waste from landfill), CO₂ emissions savings will almost double from the current 2035 trajectory and methane emissions will be avoided.

A spokesperson for FEAD explained: “The waste management sector is committed to reducing methane emissions and invites all stakeholders, including authorities, investors and civic society, to join forces to complete this transition within the upcoming nine to 14 years.

“Achievement of the CO₂ reduction potential highlighted in this study will be possible across Europe on the provision that effort is made to further incentivise recycling capacity (including through public support for separate collection systems), set up new measures such as mandatory recycled product content, increase progress on the eco-design and recyclability of manufactured products. EU policy and taxonomy investment should focus on integral waste management to support this transition.”

Targets

The study concludes that waste targets should be extended to industrial and commercial waste, recycling targets should be increased and waste streams suitable for recycling and recovery should be diverted from landfill.

The study also acknowledges that landfill would then only be utilised exclusively for the treatment of specific waste streams such as asbestos which are unsuitable for energy recovery.

The full study will be published and available in December 2021 on the websites of the industry associations.