In a collective push towards increased circularity in the automotive sector, stakeholders from the waste management and recycling industry, automotive suppliers, and NGOs have called on EU lawmakers to adopt ambitious recycled plastic content targets. These targets are a cornerstone of the European Commission’s proposed Regulation on End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVR). The aim is to foster the use of circular and low-carbon materials, bridging the gap between vehicle design and end-of-life treatment.
The signatories emphasize that these measures are critical for achieving a more sustainable automotive sector. They outlined four key policy recommendations to ensure the success of this initiative:
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Uphold the 25% Recycled Plastic Content in New Vehicles
The proposal for a 25% recycled plastic content target, sourced from post-consumer waste, aligns with current capabilities of leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Research by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) indicates that this target offers the best balance of cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and industry preparedness. Maintaining this goal is also essential to meet the proposed 30% plastic recycling benchmark under the ELVR framework.
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Accelerate Implementation to Boost Recycling Demand
Low virgin plastic prices and rising imports have hindered demand for recycled materials. To address this, the stakeholders advocate for setting recycled content targets to take effect within 48 months of the regulation’s entry into force. This could be achieved by advancing the 25% obligation timeline or introducing intermediate targets to drive immediate investments and expand recycling capacity.
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Prioritize Post-Consumer Waste in Target Calculations
The inclusion of only post-consumer plastic waste in the 25% target ensures meaningful progress towards circularity. Post-industrial waste, which is less contaminated and easier to recycle, does not adequately challenge or advance the recycling of plastics from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). By focusing on post-consumer waste, the regulation would incentivize ELV recyclers to scale operations and improve processes.
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Ensure Stability for Innovation and Recycling Expansion
Long-term planning and investment stability are critical for fostering innovation and scaling recycling capacities. Stakeholders urge policymakers to maintain ambitious targets without introducing clauses that could reduce ambition or create uncertainty. This stability will catalyze the development of technologies and infrastructure necessary for a decarbonized, circular automotive industry.
By implementing these measures, the EU has the opportunity to lead in sustainable vehicle production, setting a global standard for circular and low-carbon materials. The stakeholders call for immediate action to solidify these ambitions in the final version of the ELVR.
Co-Signatories:
Source euric-aisbl.eu
