Industrial Policy Workshop "Recycling in Europe"
When: Saturday, 11 May, 16.15-17.45
Where: NH Eurobuilding, Calle Padre Damián 23, 28036 Madrid, Spain (Room Lisboa)
Europe is heavily reliant on raw materials. It is the region with the highest net-imports of resources in the world, costing Europe nearly 90 billion EUR a year. Recycling plays a major role in not only securing raw materials at a cheaper price but also at a smaller environmental impact. Recycling 1 tonne of aluminium, for example, saves around 95 per cent of energy and 9 tonnes of CO2 emissions when compared to extracting and refining 1 tonne of aluminium from the ground.
The European Union has a range of regulations in place, such as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Yet, room for improvement continues to exist with regards to European recycling rates, which differ greatly between the different EU Member States.
In order to further promote the move towards a closed-loop economy, the European Commission will review specific aspects of the EU's waste policy and define best practices and guidelines.
This Workshop aims to discuss the recycling policies of the EU and the local experiences on recycling in Catalunya. What are the obstacles to increasing European recycling rates? What policies should Greens in Europe be pushing for? And what best-practices, initiatives and activities have been positive for Green Parties that could be shared with other Greens?
Schedule
16:15
Welcome and introduction: Reinhard Bütikofer, Co-Chair European Green Party (EGP)
16:25
Presentation on state of play of EU recycling, its legislation and problems: Andrew Farmer, Director of Research, Institute for European Environmental Policy
16:40
Presentation on state of play of recycling in Catalunya and position of ICV: Salvador Milà i Solsona, Deputy of the Parliament of Catalunya for ICV and former Minister of the Environment and Housing of the Catalan Government
16:55
Discussion
17:40
Concluding Remarks: Reinhard Bütikofer
