"Waste Directive revision could endanger recycling," warns Green MEP
13 February 2007
'Use of incineration will greatly undermine recycling efforts across theEU' Green MEP Jean Lambert has warned today prior to the EuropeanParliament's revision of the EU Waste Framework Directive.
The current waste directive dates back to 1975 and Jean has saiddesperately needs updating to reflect the needs of the ever-increasingbattle against climate change.
As Green MEP for London Jean previously condemned the decision to buildthe Capital's first Gasification plant, with a feedstock demand of atleast 55% paper and 23% plastics. Speaking prior to the Parliament'sdebate on the directive today Jean said; "This review of the EU WasteDirective gives all member states a chance to develop strong wasteprevention programmes, increase sustainability and reach the ultimategoal of waste reduction.
"Whilst the directive puts increased targets on waste reduction itsimply can not suggest that incineration is the future solution to anywaste problems the EU may have. By signing long term contracts forincinerators, demanding thousands of tonnes of waste material each year,we are in danger of locking ourselves into situations that will redirectrecyclable materials away from recycling streams.
"Recent efforts to recycle across Europe have been significant over thepast few years. In London current recycling rates save 10 - 15 milliontonnes of CO2 per year, compared to putting the material in landfill andincinerators - a saving that equates to taking 3.5 million cars off theroad. The Waste Directive now must focus on the 3R's - Reduce, Reuse,Recycle - to be a real success."
The European Parliament, in session in Strasbourg this week, will voteon the Revision of the Waste Directive tomorrow (Tuesday 13th February2007).
ENDS
For more information please contact:Morwenna Holland, Media Officertel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812email: media@jeanlambertmep.org.ukwww.jeanlambertmep.org.uk
Notes to editors:
Jean Lambert: In October 2005 Jean was named MEP 2005 for Justice andHuman Rights. Jean was first elected Green Party Member of the EuropeanParliament for London in the 1999 European elections. She wasre-elected in 2004. She is one of nine MEPs representing London and oneof two UK Green representatives in the European Parliament.
