European Package for Plastic Recyclers: “Much-Needed Step”

State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Public Transport and Environment) initiated the appeal to Europe for a support package for plastic recyclers.

He responds: “I am pleased with this response from Commissioner Roswall to the appeal from the Netherlands and fellow member states. This is an important first and much-needed step with which we will jointly address the poor economic conditions in the European recycling sector. And that is necessary. If no action is taken now, more companies will go bankrupt. I am therefore looking forward to the follow-up process. We must protect our own entrepreneurs and industry. This is about our strategic autonomy: better to make new plastic from recycled plastic here than to be dependent on petroleum or dubious plastic from other countries. Because the future of the Netherlands is a clean and strong economy, built on our own innovative industry.”

The European plastic recycling industry is under pressure due to, among other things, high energy costs, low and unpredictable prices for new (virgin) plastic, and competition from imports of cheap plastics – often these are new plastics offered as recycled. The result: economic losses and bankruptcies. This is bad for the sectors competitiveness, employment, our strategic independence, and the environment. Because new plastic made from plastic waste is much better than new plastic made from fossil resources.

Commissioner Jessica Roswall presents in todays package a proposal for calculation rules for chemical recycling. This determines how plastic waste that is chemically recycled can count as recycled plastic in a new product. The Commission also presents a proposal with clear rules on when plastic waste is no longer waste but a new raw material.

Furthermore, the European Commission will also look at what is needed to create a better level playing field, so that everyone who wants to bring plastic into Europe must comply with the same conditions as European companies. This is to prevent, among other things, dumping of cheap new plastic on the European market.

Subsequently, the Circular Plastic Alliance will be revived. This is a public-private working group including representatives from the European Commission, industry, and member states. The working group, led by the Commission, will seek solutions to the problems in the sector. In particular, this working group will focus on strengthening a level playing field by, among other things, looking at enhancing market surveillance and customs codes.

Finally, the Commission points to a larger package of measures for the circular economy, the so-called Circular Economy Act, expected in the second half of 2026. This package will also look at measures to strengthen demand for recycled material.
 

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