BEWI supports common criteria for circular plastics in Europe

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Common European End-of-Waste criteria for recycled plastics can support more circular material flows.

The European Commission has proposed common End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for recycled plastics. If adopted, the criteria could make it easier for recycled plastics to move across borders and be used as secondary raw material in new products. For BEWI, this aligns well with our business model, where used EPS (expanded polystyrene) is collected, recycled and brought back into the value chain.

End-of-Waste is a legal status under Article 6 of the EU Waste Framework Directive. When waste has been recycled and meets applicable criteria, it can cease to be classified as waste and instead become a product or secondary raw material. The criteria address use of the material, technical requirements and compliance with product legislation, as well as protection of human health and the environment.

Today, the End-of-Waste approaches differ between European countries. The European Commission has therefore proposed common EU-wide criteria for recycled plastics, intended to provide greater legal certainty and support a more consistent market for recycled materials.

For BEWI, harmonised criteria could facilitate cross-border trade in recycled plastics and support its use as secondary raw materials, while reducing some of the complexity associated with different national approaches.

“A circular economy depends on recycled materials being able to move efficiently and reliably back into use. Common criteria across Europe can provide greater clarity, while maintaining the quality and traceability that customers and the market need,” says Camilla Bjerkli, Chief Sustainability Officer in BEWI.

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BEWI collects around 40 000 tonnes of used EPS annually for recycling and bring the material back into the value chain. Turning this material into a reliable secondary raw material requires good understanding of its origin and properties, together with consistent quality control throughout the recycling process.

The proposed criteria address incoming waste streams, recycling processes, product quality, traceability and documentation. BEWI’s operation and practice provide a foundation for assessing these requirements and identifying any necessary adaptations.

For BEWI, harmonisation could support increased use of recycled EPS in new products and more circular material flows across Europe.
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