Recycling objectives for a resource-efficient Europe – municipal solutions for eco-efficient recyclables managementIn presenting the position paper on “Recycling objectives for a resource-efficient Europe – municipal solutions for eco-efficient recyclables management”, the VKU –

as Germany’s local public utilities association – wants to contribute to the current discussion from the perspective of the municipal waste management sector.

Municipal waste management companies are committed to reducing resource consumption and, at the same time, raising resource productivity in an effort to build a

“sustainable economy”. The European Commission published its “Roadmap to a Resource-Efficient Europe” on 20 September 2011. In the field of waste

management, this communication argues above all for the separate collection of waste materials in every locality to be rolled out by all Member States by 2020. The

Roadmap defines objectives and measures for improving resource efficiency in Europe. As part of the move towards improved resource efficiency, Germany’s

municipal waste management companies want to make an active contribution to the implementation process going forward.

In our position paper on “Recycling objectives for a resource-efficient Europe – municipal solutions for eco-efficient recyclables management”, the VKU defines the

concrete recycling targets required to meet European requirements regarding recycling and resource efficiency. The VKU proposes the setting of a definite collection

rate for each of the major waste fractions to be achieved by municipal waste management companies in their own area. The local public utilities see their role here as a

natural partner of private-sector companies involved in commercial recycling. This industry is dominated by many small and medium-sized businesses that are

integrated – and will, in future, continue to be integrated – to varying degrees in every stage of the waste management chain (collection, sorting, recovery and

recycling, disposal).