EU Parliament should vote against toxic recycling
Chemicals in ProductsOn September 13, the European Parliament will decide whether recyclers in the EU will be able to trade waste containing chemicals that are banned in the virging materials.
HEJSupport joins EEB in the demand to the European Parliament to end toxic recycling. Recycling and recovery of waste maximize the useful life of materials and other resources, improve the design of materials and products, and minimize waste generated at the end-of-life of products and packaging. These are the key components of a circular economy. However if little attention is paid on toxic chemicals in products and waste in recycling stream, these chemicals may appear in new products made out of recycled materials, as a study shows, co-authored by HEJSupport co-director Olga Speranskaya.
A study conducted in 2017 reveals elevated concentrations of toxic persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that have been detected in samples of plastic toys purchased in different stores in 25 countries globally. Levels of some chemicals were more than five times higher than recommended international limits.
We fully support the EU’s Council of Ministers call on the European Commission and Echa to track substances of concern in materials through the entire supply chain. This will help to ensure green design of products, minimize chemical exposure both at the production and at the consumption stage, and improve recycling.
More information on toxic recylcing:
IPEN: POPs recycling contaminates children`s toys with toxic flame retardants
