With only one week remaining until the plenary vote on the proposed EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the European natural mineral water and soft drink industries are urging all MEPs to secure a priority access right to recyclates in the PPWR proposal.
This call is supported by deposit and return system (DRS) operators from Sweden and Slovakia, where a priority access principle is already in place.
According to the bodies, priority access provides several benefits. It promotes closed-loop recycling where technically feasible and offers manufacturers reliable access to recycled materials, enabling them to meet the EU mandatory recycled content targets. Additionally, it encourages investment in the collection and recycling of products from other sectors, ultimately contributing to a more circular economy.
Anna-Karin Fondberg, managing director at Sveriges Bryggerier/ The Swedish Brewers, emphasizes the importance of having a priority access to recycled content enshrined in the Swedish DRS. She states, “This has proven to be a crucial element to secure a consistent supply of recycled content, enabling the industry to meet the EU’s recycled content targets. With this priority access, also our SMEs are in a position to make the necessary investments in recycled content to achieve their recycled content obligations and circularity ambitions.”
Lucia Morvai, director of external affairs and communications of the Slovak DRS administrator, notes: ‘’A priority access right to recycled material is a fundamental component of the Slovak DRS. This is absolutely necessary to enable a circular economy. It provides the industry with sufficient access to recycled materials to meet the EU’s recycled content targets. SMEs, in particular, have a lot to gain from it, because they have the possibility to comply with the EU’s recycled content obligations, whilst remaining competitive.’’
Patricia Fosselard, secretary general of Natural Mineral Waters Europe, states: “The beverage industry has demonstrated the effectiveness of a closed-loop model, but a consistent supply of recycled material is a critical necessity to incentivize investment, realize the full potential of this model, and boost resource efficiency. We are not asking for uniquely special treatment. The principles of a priority access right should apply universally to any sector committed to investing in closed-loop recycling.’’
Nicholas Hodac, director general of UNESDA, adds: “The European Parliament’s ENVI Committee’s support for a priority access principle was a positive step towards enabling a circular economy. Wider MEPs’ support is now needed to ensure that this legal mechanism is secured in the PPWR proposal. We already know that a priority access right works. It is implemented in Sweden and Slovakia, authorized by national authorities, and it has been approved under Austrian law and will be integrated into its DRS that is soon to be launched.’’
