On August 29, 2017, the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) published its response to the European Commission’s (EC) consultation on the chemical, product, and waste interface in the context of the EC’s circular economy action plan (FPF reported). FEVE noted that “the success of the circular economy will depend on a market for secondary raw materials that competes in terms of cost, quality and safety with virgin raw materials.” Therefore, “only materials that can be effectively recycled and that do not pose a risk to human health or the environment should be placed on the market,” FEVE suggested. Further, FEVE recommended to incentivize permanent materials that maintain their properties when recycled.
FEVE specifically highlighted the case of food contact materials (FCMs) in the circular economy. FEVE urged the EC to undertake a detailed case study in this area because “the lack of knowledge of the relevant composition of the treated waste stream makes it impossible to assess the impact of recycled materials when used as food contact materials.” FEVE also called for closed loop recycling for FCMs to limit the risk of contamination and thus “increase the safety of the recycled materials that enter into contact with food,” while ensuring the highest possible recycled content in packaging.
Read more
FEVE (August 29, 2017). “Stakeholder consultation on chemical, product, waste interface.”
FEVE (July 7, 2017). “Stakeholder consultation on chemical, product, waste interface.” (pdf)
