Berlin/Frankfurt am Main, March 11th 2025 – Three years after the publication of their first joint position paper, the German plastics and recycling industry has renewed its joint commitment to a circular economy and climate protection. The representatives of the plastics value chain are working constructively on a comprehensive circular economy for plastics.
Plastics already make a fundamental contribution to climate protection. Promoting the circular economy of plastics will further improve the CO2 balance of the plastics industry. The positions and proposed measures are to be understood as an appeal to the plastics industry, politicians and the public to take joint responsibility for greater resource conservation and climate protection, to actively participate in the realisation of the circular economy through plastics, and to implement the standards defined by the EU.
Broad support from leading organisations
This position paper is backed by the associations PlasticsEurope Deutschland, GKV Gesamtverband Kunststoffverarbeitende Industrie (General Association of the Plastics Processing Industry), VDMA Fachverband Kunststoff- und Gummimaschinen (VDMA Association for Plastics and Rubber Machinery), BDE Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V. (Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Recycling Industry) and the BDSD Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung e.V. (Federal Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Disposal), who collectively represent the key players whose roles within the circular economy complement each other. They all contribute towards closing the plastic cycle efficiently and sustainably.
Extended catalogue of measures for a more circular economy
The position paper contains detailed proposals for the areas in which changes are needed to provide the necessary impetus for a more circular economy. In addition to recycle-friendly product design, foreign trade in used plastics, or the EU-wide end to their landfilling and the expansion of disposal and recycling structures, this also includes improving market conditions for the use of recycled materials. This requires a clear political roadmap and the necessary legal framework. In the revised paper, the positions on mechanical and chemical recycling have been sharpened. The wide range of existing and new recycling processes will create the conditions for bringing additional recyclates onto the market, including those of virgin-like quality.
Strengthening European market surveillance for products from third countries
European market surveillance has the task of ensuring the safety of workers and consumers, as well as the competitiveness of European companies. It is therefore another necessary instrument for promoting the circular economy. In view of the increasing density of regulation in Europe however, market surveillance in the member states must function more effectively with regard to imports from third countries and take appropriate action in the event of violations of EU standards in order to avoid distortions of competition.
The associations view their position and proposals as a contribution towards the continuation of the dialogue with other partners from the plastics industry, but also with representatives from politics, science and civil society as key players on the road to a circular economy.
Contact:
Abstandshalter unsichtbar
BDE Logo Gross
Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V.
Dr. Andreas Bruckschen
bruckschen@bde.de
+49 30 590 03 35-0
www.bde.de
BVSE Logo
Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung e.V.
Dr. Thomas Probst
probst@bvse.de
+49 228 98849-20
www.bvse.de
VDMOA Logo Kunststoff Gummimaschinen
VDMA e.V. Kunststoff- und Gummimaschinen
Thorsten Kühmann
thorsten.kuehmann@vdma.org
+49 69 6603-1831
www.vdma.org
PlasticsEurope Logo Neu
PlasticsEurope Deutschland e.V.
Dr. Christine Bunte
christine.bunte@plasticseurope.de
+49 69 25 56 13 59
www.plasticseurope.org
