Germany's waste policy draws more complaints

Journal Article · Wed May 12 00:00:00 EDT 1993 · Chemical Week; (United States)

OSTI ID:6334136

Chynoweth, E

The U.K. government, backed by France, Spain, and a number of other European Community (EC) members, has submitted a complaint to the European Commission regarding shipments of packaging wastes from Germany. Well-funded German wastes collectors are able to pay recycling firms up to $350/m.t. to take wastes or offer refuse at zero cost, depending on quality. According to the U.K.'s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI; London) plastics wastes imports to the U.K. increased 450% between 1991 and 1992-most of the hike was in Germany shipments. Such increases, the DTI says, prevent the development of domestic waste recycling efforts in the U.K. Other countries supporting the U.K. position include Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Ireland, and Luxembourg. The German waste export issue stems from its packaging recycling regulation, which has resulted in mountains of waste being collected along with strong reserves of funds. However, the country has insufficient recycling capacity. In 1992, when it is estimated 200,000 m.t. of plastics packaging was collected, Germany's recycling capabilities amounted to 60,000 m.t. Long term, Germany aims to recycle plastics through refineries or crackers. Shorter term, it is building storage capacity. A DTI spokesman says approaches have recently been made by the U.K. to Germany to set up bilateral talks to remedy the situation. In addition, the issue will likely be on the agenda of a meeting between Germany and U.K. industry and environmental ministers in Bonn next week. The commission is in the process of drawing up a pan-European packaging directive, which in its draft form sets an obligation on each EC country to treat wastes internally.

• OSTI ID: 6334136
• Journal Information: Chemical Week; (United States), Journal Name: Chemical Week; (United States) Vol. 152:18; ISSN CHWKA9; ISSN 0009-272X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
CAPACITY
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
COST
DENMARK
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
EUROPE
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
FRANCE
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
IMPORTS
INDUSTRY
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
IRELAND
ITALY
LUXEMBOURG
MATERIALS
NETHERLANDS
PACKAGING
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
RECYCLING
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SCANDINAVIA
SPAIN
STORAGE
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TRADE
UNITED KINGDOM
WESTERN EUROPE