Market Dynamics
EU countries' recycling rates exceed targets
Time: 2014-01-14 Source from: www.prw.com
Countries that formed the European Union (EU) 27+2 grouping recycled 5.4 million tonnes in 2012, according to a new report published by an alliance of industry groups including the UK's Recoup and the European Association of Plastics Recycling & Recovery Organisations (Epro).
The rate for 2012 was ahead of 2011's 33.6% and "easily surpassed" the EU's minimum target of 22.5%, the report said.
Energy recovery hit 34.5% (versus 33.2% in 2011) and a total of 69.2% (66.8%) of all plastic packaging waste was recovered, with the remainder going to landfill and incineration without energy recovery.
The Epro report said that with the exception of Malta all EU 27+2 countries exceeded minimum EU targets of 22.5% recycling, with 19 getting above 30%.
However seven countries landfilled more than half their plastic packaging waste in 2012, including the UK, which dealt with 63% in this way.
Holland topped the recycling leader board with 50.6%, followed by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden and Estonia, the Epro document said.