APEAL (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging) has welcomed the European Parliament plenary vote in favour of stricter recyclability measures inside the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
The organisation added that it particularly supports the packaging recyclability performance grades. The introduction of a performance grading system with clear criteria is described as the first of its kind.
“Recyclability performance grades represent a significant stride towards realising a truly circular EU economy,” said Alexis Van Maercke, secretary general of APEAL. “These grades, combining quantitative thresholds and qualitative recyclability criteria, are poised to stimulate innovation.”
APEAL also welcomed the ambition to link the eco-modulation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees with the recyclability performance grades.
“We welcome the application of the net cost principle per packaging type principle whereby the EPR financial contributions are based on the real net cost of collection, sorting, and recycling or recovery of the packaging,” added Steve Claus, sustainability manager of APEAL.
APEAL said it welcomes the definition of high-quality recycling, which serves as a ‘catalyst’ for packaging manufacturers to elevate the recyclability of their products.
However, the organisation added that it regrets that steel pails, drums, intermediate bulk containers, and canisters are classified as transport packaging in the proposed legislation. These packaging types, APEAL added, are ‘clear examples’ of sales packaging, which are consumed by the end-user and labelled as sales packaging in national legislation and guidelines of several EU member states.
