FEAD and EuRIC challenge ELV report for mixed signals on automotive circularity

Brussels, 06 February – EuRIC, the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation and FEAD, the European Waste Management Association express deep concerns over certain provisions of the draft ELV report by the European Parliament’s rapporteurs, which send mixed signals on automotive circularity.

The draft report, prepared by MEPs Jens Gieseke (ENVI) and Paulius Saudargas (IMCO), takes some positive steps, particularly by foreseeing a 30% recycling obligation, mandating recycled plastic content targets in automotive and introducing a closed-loop target for ELVs. However, compared to the Commission’s proposal, these ambitions have been significantly watered down. The recycled plastic content target has dropped from 25% to 20%, while the closed-loop target has been reduced from 25% to 15. Even more concerning, the inclusion of biobased plastic and pre-consumer plastic waste in meeting these targets significantly hampers the plastic recycling sector, by diverting attention and resources away from actual recycling efforts. At the same time, it offers nothing to increase ELV plastics circularity. This could stall innovation, and reduce investments in increasing recycling capacities, creating a false sense of progress, ultimately harming the transition to a true circular economy. Additionally, the report places an unbalanced focus on chemical recycling, treating it as a silver bullet while sidelining mechanical recycling and existing innovations.

While the report does introduce important provisions, such as ensuring recyclers are included in the governing bodies of Producer Responsibility Organisations (PROs), addressing missing vehicles, and allowing flexibility in removal and dismantling obligations – they are not enough. The report lacks the bold action needed to push ecodesign, technological innovation, and real circularity in the automotive sector.

As Europe pushes for competitiveness and regulatory simplification, it’s important to find the right balance. Simplifying rules shouldn’t weaken circularity, limit innovation, or reduce the ability to recycle materials. Without stronger action, Europe risks missing the chance to recover valuable materials, boost its economy, and support the EU waste management and recycling industries, which help reduce the continent’s heavy dependence on imports of raw materials from third countries.

FEAD is the European Waste Management Association, representing the private waste and resource management industry across Europe, including 20 national waste management federations and 3,000 waste management companies. Private waste management companies operate in 60% of municipal waste markets in Europe and in 75% of industrial and commercial waste. This means more than 320,000 local jobs, fuelling €5 billion of investments into the economy every year. For more information, please contact: FEAD Secretariat at info@fead.be

EuRIC, the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation is the umbrella organisation for the recycling industries in Europe. Through its 80 members from 23 countries across Europe, EuRIC represents more than 5,500 large companies and SMEs involved in the recycling and trade of various resource streams. They represent a contribution of 95 billion EUR to the EU economy and 300,000 green and local jobs. By turning waste into resources, recycling reintroduces valuable materials into value chains over and over again. By bridging circularity and climate neutrality, recyclers are pioneers in leading Europe’s industrial transition and competitiveness.