European recyclers warn of major incoherencies that remain after the ENVI report on the Waste Shipment Regulation was adopted on 1 December. While the report alleviates some of the administrative burdens that impede trade of recycled materials within the EU and sets mandatory recycled content targets for plastics, it completely turns a blind eye on  plastic waste shipments within the Union and grounds of revocation for pre-consented facilities by local authorities.

Regarding exports, the restrictive approach announced by the Commission’s proposal has been strengthened by the report.  Waste export restrictions go as far as to include an explicit ban on all plastic waste exports to OECD and non-OECD countries. For other resource streams, in particular metals and recovered paper, the report falls short in distinguishing them from problematic waste streams. Yet, EuRIC welcomes the distinction made between OECD and non-OECD countries.