The circular economy is paralysed. The standstill in operations is costing us €2 billion a year. The European regulation allowing for the granting of recycling authorisations must be transposed immediately.

Rome, 25 July 2019 - The business and association community is calling on the Government and Parliament to find a solution to the deadlock in waste recycling operations in our country.

CONFINDUSTRIA, CIRCULAR ECONOMY NETWORK, CNA, FISEUNICIRCULAR, FISE ASSOAMBIENTE, CONFEDERAZIONE ITALIANA AGRICOLTORI, CONFARTIGIANATO IMPRESE, CONFCOOPERATIVE, LEGACOOP PRODUZIONE E SERVIZI, CISAMBIENTE, FEDERCHIMICA, FEDERACCIAI, FEDERAZIONE GOMMA PLASTICA, ASSOMINERARIA, CONAI, CONOU, ECOPNEUS, CONFEDERAZIONE LIBERE ASSOCIAZIONI ARTIGIANE ITALIANE, GREEN ECONOMY NETWORK DI ASSOLOMBARDA, UTILITALIA, CASARTIGIANI, CONFAPI, ASSOVETRO, CONFAGRICOLTURA, CONSORZIO ITALIANO COMPOSTATORI, ECOTYRE, COBAT, CONSORZIO RICREA, ANCO, AIRA, GREENTIRE, ASSOBIOPLASTICHE, ASCOMAC COGENA, ECODOM, AMIS, COMIECO, ASSOCARTA, FEDERAZIONE CARTA E GRAFICA, CENTRO DI COORDINAMENTO RAEE, SITEB, ASSOREM, FIRI, FEDERBETON, AITEC, CONOE, COREPLA, FEDERESCO, ANGAM, CENTRO DI COORDINAMENTO NAZIONALE PILE E ACCUMULATORI, UCINA – CONFINDUSTRIA NAUTICA, ASSOFOND, CONSORZIO CARPI

met today in Rome at the Spazio Eventi Spagna to raise the alarm regarding the severe impact on the environment, public health, and waste management costs for households and businesses following the halt in the circular economy sector.

A ruling by the Council of State has effectively paralysed waste recycling operations. The 'Sblocca Cantieri' (Unblocking Construction Sites) measure regarding the 'End of Waste' status has failed to resolve the situation, merely safeguarding the types and recycling activities already provided for and regulated by the Ministerial Decree of 5 February 1998 and subsequent amendments, thereby excluding those developed in the meantime. This regulatory framework effectively prevents various recycling activities for both municipal and industrial waste, as well as the development of new activities and facilities.

As is well known, separate waste collection is a prerequisite for managing waste virtuously by correctly channelling it to designated recycling facilities. However, this is not enough. Facilities must be authorised to grant 'End of Waste' status so that, after treatment, they can return products, materials, and items to the market.

Sending our waste abroad is too costly for citizens and businesses. As a country poor in raw materials, Italy must leverage waste materials to remain internationally competitive and strengthen its industrial base. The blockage of authorisations is costing us an additional €2 billion per year.

The development of processes and products linked to the circular economy represents a strategic challenge for ensuring the rational use of natural resources. Therefore, the stalemate reported by businesses today, and repeatedly brought to the attention of the institutions, is a call for general awareness. With today's appeal, the business community is addressing not only the institutions but also the public. If recycling operations are not quickly unblocked, the ongoing crisis already affecting municipal and special waste management will worsen, leading to critical situations in many cities across the country and risking the overloading of landfills and incinerators.

The activities most affected are precisely those that employ the most innovative methods and technologies for waste recycling and recovery, and which are, paradoxically, the most effective for environmental protection and the development of the circular economy.

The solution to end this emergency was indicated by Europe in the Circular Economy Package of Directives, published in June 2018. Businesses and associations have strongly requested the transposition of these Directives to ensure safe and efficient waste management and to address global environmental and economic challenges.

Italian businesses, with their facilities, wish to continue making the transition to a circular economy a reality, consolidating their European leadership in driving the growth process towards decarbonisation and the efficient use of natural resources.

SOURCE: Confindustria

Attachments

• Appeal to the Government and Parliament End of Waste.pdf