Why always recycling?

RE-USE as the Second Pillar

But first, why do we hear so much about recycling? In the EU strategy, recycling is actually the third step, after reduce and reuse. Yet the public debate is almost entirely dominated by recycling. Why? Simply because there is money to be made. Recycled material (PCR) is a commodity, while reduction and reuse mean less material use – and collectively, we seem to be allergic to the idea of “selling less.”

A Wild West of recycling claims

Another commercially driven element is the sheer variety of packaging and claims we see regarding recyclability. Earlier this year, the “Zwerfinator” dissected a new chip packaging and found that the new tube actually contains more plastic (11 grams) than the bag it replaced (8 grams). On top, in big letters, it states “Recyclable,” while the disposal instruction (in small print) tells consumers to throw it in the general waste bin. In some municipalities, every collection of residual waste has to be paid for separately – meaning the simultaneous price increase per 100 grams of chips gets an extra boost.

Rules are annoying

and necessary

We often complain about rules and regulations: “Brussels’ interference borders on patronizing!” But if this is what happens without rules, then in fact we are asking for them ourselves. Because as a consumer, you simply do not know what to believe anymore. That is why we welcome the upcoming standardized disposal instructions that must be printed on packaging (Art. 12 PPWR) as well as the design criteria for recycling and the recyclability performance classes (Art. 6, para. 4, sub a). This way, you will be able to clearly see how recyclable the packaging you put in your basket really is.

A promising start!

Fortunately, there are also many producers who genuinely want to do the right thing – and who are taking real steps to do so. They are bringing packaging to market that is truly designed to be better recyclable. They conduct research, test new alternatives, invest in new machinery, source innovative materials, and introduce improved packaging to their customers. Impressive work – but also a huge effort. For these producers, it is difficult to watch the recycling industry falling behind. Because in the end, all that effort could be wasted if the actual capacity to recycle those packages disappears. A package may be highly recyclable in theory – but without capacity and demand, it is nothing more than a wasted opportunity.

The worrying reality

And this is happening just as the PPWR begins to require producers to use recycled content (Art. 7) and to demonstrate recyclability through technical documentation (Annex VII). Meanwhile, the recycling sector itself is under severe pressure:

• Recycling companies in the Netherlands and Europe are going bankrupt or exiting the market.

• New installations are being postponed or cancelled.

• Capacity is shrinking – right before the PPWR mandates the use of PCR.

In other words: producers are being pushed to invest in recyclable packaging, while at the same time processing capacity is declining, making them increasingly dependent on PCR sourced outside the EU. On top of this, policy is shaky. The plastic tax, which could have supported the recycling industry, is being scrapped. And the new tax on incineration does not incentivize recyclable packaging at the source. Instead of rewarding the use of PCR, it makes the general residual waste stream more expensive.