Enhancing plastics circularity in vehicles: An opportunity not to be wasted
Ambitious mandatory recycled content targets are essential to stop burning plastic waste and recover resources in Europe.
Currently, an average of 80% of plastics coming from end-of-life vehicles (ELV) are either landfilled or incinerated, resulting in huge losses both in terms of materials, energy and climate-efficiency. Hence, a robust regulatory framework that enhances vehicles’ circularity and reduce reliance on primary resources is crucial.
In order to increase the circularity of vehicles, the Commission’s proposal for a new Regulation on ELVs aims, among other objectives, to ensure that:
- At least 25% of plastic used to build a new vehicle comes from the recycling of post-consumer plastic waste (of which 25% comes from ELVs).
- At least 30% of the plastics contained in ELVs are recycled.
EuRIC fully supports the recycled content targets proposed by the Commission, as it is based on extensive research that proves it is feasible, and it is the most efficient way to increase automotive plastics circularity. Increasing the circularity of vehicles must be a shared responsibility along the value chain – a higher plastic recycling rate (supply) will only be possible if there is a commitment from manufacturers to incorporate recycled plastics in new vehicles (demand).
Moreover, the introduction of binding measures to incentivise recycled materials’ use is also essential to create market demand and secure investments to further scale up recycling capacity in the EU. Thus, a continued focus on this level of ambition is required to avoid the watering down of pro-circular measures.
EuRIC’s position in a nutshell:
- Upholding the ambitious yet achievable 25% recycled plastic target, including the 25% closed-loop target, in vehicles to stimulate demand for recycled materials and drive investments,
- Avoiding the dilution of the targets with pre-consumer waste and biobased plastics, as this does not refer to the end-of-life treatment of plastic, and thus, it does not contribute to circularity.
- Mandatory third-party verification of recycled content to ensure a level playing field on recycled content and prevent unfair competition from third- country imports. Robust certification covering all environmental, human health and social aspects is essential.
- Thermosets other than polyurethane foams in seats and elastomers should not be considered.
