Current recycling of household plastics falls heavily short

Plastic Heroes yields barely any financial benefits and insufficient environmental gains

The recycling of plastics from household waste appears to deliver a disappointingly poor result. Recycling Netwerk notes that both the financial returns and the benefits for the environment are highly disappointing and asks the House of Representatives to look into how the recycling of plastics from household waste can be improved.

The parliamentary committee on Infrastructure and the Environment (I&M) is meeting this week (5 October) on "Circular Economy" and is discussing, among other things, a CPB (Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis) note on targets for prevention and recycling. Recycling Netwerk responds to this and suggests, among other things:

“It is incorrectly stated that the CPB has concluded that the scientific literature offers little starting points for better recycling policy.

We ask you to request the State Secretary to have such policy research carried out after all. In particular, it should be examined how the recycling of plastics from household waste can be -strongly- improved.

We note that the PlasticHeroes system functions disappointingly poorly, both from a financial cost-benefit perspective and from an environmental perspective.

An approach to plastic packaging waste should be pursued which, based on at least the current cost level, ensures a maximum reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and as much plastic-substituting recycling as possible.

Finally, we request you to ensure legal regulations regarding:

a) taking concrete prevention measures with regard to specific products,

b) levying a deposit on plastic bottles,

c) being able to hold individual companies accountable for a fair share in complying with recycling obligations.”

Read the full letter?

160930-recycling-netwerk-aan-tk-commissie-im-nav-cpb-notitie

Plastic Heroes yields barely any financial benefits and insufficient environmental gains

The recycling of plastics from household waste appears to deliver a disappointingly poor result. Recycling Netwerk notes that both the financial returns and the benefits for the environment are highly disappointing and asks the House of Representatives to look into how the recycling of plastics from household waste can be improved.

The parliamentary committee on Infrastructure and the Environment (I&M) is meeting this week (5 October) on "Circular Economy" and is discussing, among other things, a CPB note on targets for prevention and recycling. Recycling Netwerk responds to this and suggests, among other things:

“It is incorrectly stated that the CPB has concluded that the scientific literature offers little starting points for better recycling policy. We ask you to request the State Secretary to have such policy research carried out after all. In particular, it should be examined how the recycling of plastics from household waste can be -strongly- improved. We note that the PlasticHeroes system functions disappointingly poorly, both from a financial cost-benefit perspective and from an environmental perspective. An approach to plastic packaging waste should be pursued which, based on at least the current cost level, ensures a maximum reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and as much plastic-substituting recycling as possible. Finally, we request you to ensure legal regulations regarding: a) taking concrete prevention measures with regard to specific products, b) levying a deposit on plastic bottles, c) being able to hold individual companies accountable for a fair share in complying with recycling obligations.”

Read the full letter? 160930-recycling-netwerk-aan-tk-commissie-im-nav-cpb-notitie