Plastic Waste Shipments for Recycling
Recycling plastics at scale depends on access to sufficient volumes of waste and the ability to move those materials to facilities with the right treatment capacity. Within the EU Single Market, unnecessary barriers to these movements can restrict access to feedstock and make it harder to develop markets for secondary plastics.
In October 2022, EERA joined five other European industry associations in calling for the revision of the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) to make intra-EU shipments of plastic waste for recycling more efficient while maintaining environmental protections and improving traceability.
Why pre-consented facilities matter
A central focus of the coalition's position was the role of pre-consented recovery facilities. These facilities provide a route for plastic waste to move to compliant recycling operations across the EU. The coalition argued that improving these procedures would help plastic waste reach the most appropriate treatment facility while supporting the circulation of secondary materials within the European market.
However, differences in how pre-consent was implemented across Member States limited its effectiveness. We therefore called for stronger and more enforceable provisions under Article 14 of the proposed WSR.
Creating a harmonised system across Europe
The coalition called for a more consistent framework that would make pre-consent work effectively throughout the EU.
Key recommendations included:
Harmonised criteria for recycling facilities to obtain pre-consented status
Fast-tracked notifications for shipments to compliant facilities
Quicker approval of pre-consented status
Retaining the proposed seven-year validity period, or extending it to ten years;
Reducing financial burdens by exempting pre-consented facilities from financial guarantees and prioritising insurance instead
Simpler routing requirements
A central digital system for exchanging shipment information and documents
An EU working group bringing together decision-makers, competent authorities, inspectors and industry representatives to support consistent implementation
The coalition also called for the existing definitions of EU48 and EU3011 to be maintained to support the movement of plastic waste for recycling within the EU.
Supporting a circular market for plastics
Our message was that efficient intra-EU waste shipments and strong environmental controls should work together. Better access to pre-consented facilities can help recyclers secure sufficient material, direct plastic waste towards appropriate treatment and increase the availability of secondary plastics.
A harmonised approach would also support the wider objective of moving plastics higher up the waste hierarchy and reducing reliance on imported fossil resources.
About the industry coalition position
Published in October 2022, the position was jointly signed by Chemical Recycling Europe, EERA, EuPC, EuRIC, FEAD and Plastics Europe.
Read the original coalition position for the complete recommendations
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