Speaking at the Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform meeting in Brussels, Commission’s Vice-President Timmermans said that the Plastics Strategy could be undermined if China’s decision to ban waste imports leads to more incineration.
The Commissioner called for “urgent work” to avoid people becoming “discouraged”. This is because he is afraid that consumers would stop separate collection of waste if they learn that all materials are in fact incinerated.
Speaking later at the same conference, Commissioner Bieńkowska, responsible for Internal Market and Industry, said that the agenda, which will help orient research funding beyond 2020, addressing plastics production and use, could also include “boosting the market” for recycled plastics. This should consequently encourage and facilitate plastic recycling in the EU. In addition, the “strategic research innovation agenda” for plastics due to be published later this year should encourage standardisation of recyclates.
On the other hand, the Commission would also consider “fiscal measures on plastics”, she said, to limit the use of plastics.