Fédération Internationale du Recyclage
FIR
To achieve high quality recycling of Construction & Demolition Waste and of Incinerator Bottom Ash in Europe
ID: 563157337033-82
Lobbying Activity
Response to Review of the Construction Products Regulation
12 Jul 2022
Please find attached feedback of FIR on the proposal for a new CPR.
Read full responseResponse to Waste Framework review to reduce waste and the environmental impact of waste management
21 Feb 2022
FIR welcomes the initiative of the Commission to improve the overall environmental outcome of waste management. FIR represents the recycling industries of construction and demolition waste and of incinerator bottom ash. The initiative offers opportunities to improve the management in Europe of these vast waste streams. Attached is our feedback to the call for evidence.
Read full responseResponse to Measures to reduce microplastic pollution
21 Dec 2021
Feedback of FIR to the EU’s Microplastics Initiative
This feedback is given on behalf of FIR (Fédération Internationale du Recyclage), representative of the European recycling industry of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) and of Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA). We welcome the initiative of the Commission to take measures that must prevent the release of microplastics in the environment. It is our believe that in the current approach a main source of microplastics is overlooked: poorly managed C&DW. In rather some member states C&DW is still not managed well. Instead of being recycled, it is “backfilled”. For instance, the Irish EPA reports that almost 60% of inert C&DW and also almost 60% of mixed C&DW is “backfilled”. In other regions in the EU there are examples where untreated C&DW is found in nature, also near water. Whereas this situation is bound to result in widespread soil contamination, it is also bound to result in the release of microplastics in nature. A very rough and conservative estimate is that all C&DW in the EU could contain 5-10 million ton of plastics. According to EEA, current recovery figures are achieved mainly by using backfilling and low grade recovery. It is therefore key that appropriate management of C&DW is promoted, excluding backfilling and benefiting high quality recycling. The case of microplastics underlines that need and a policy on microplastics should therefore also address C&DW.
Contact: info@fir-recycling.com
Read full responseResponse to A new Circular Economy Action Plan
20 Jan 2020
FIR (Fédération Internationale du Recylage) represents the European recycling industry of Construction & Demolition Waste (C&DW) and Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA). Our industry has been recycling these waste streams for more than 30 years, and therefore has been a main player in the Circular Economy for a long time.
FIR welcomes the initiative of the Commission. We fully support it and endorse the approach and aims described. Our aim is to achieve high quality recycling of the waste streams mentioned. We believe that this runs in parallel with the aims of the Commission. We confirm that FIR is available to assist the Commission in reaching its goals for the Circular Economy. The roadmap rightly addresses such issues as “markets for secondary materials” and “modernisation of laws”. FIR is happy to offer its knowledge and expertise on such and other issues.
Construction & Demolition Waste
C&DW constitutes the biggest waste volume in Europe, representing about 30% of all waste produced in Europe. This waste is still not managed appropriately in large parts of Europe. Good quality recycling and hence a circular situation exists only in a small number of Member States. In various Member States C&DW simply “vanishes”. It falls of the radar, is tipped in nature and frequently this is seen as “backfilling”.
High quality recycling is state-of-the-art and well achievable in all areas of the EU. Such activities as concrete recycling back into concrete are examples of circular achievements. As recycling of C&DW contributes to smaller traffic distances in many cases, a contribution to CO2 reduction is made as well.
FIR is happy to have contributed to initiatives of the Commission such as the EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol. In addition we have developed a guide for stakeholders how to develop recycling and reach the 70% recycling target. This guideline summarises the expertise of 30 years in Member States where recycling has become successful. It provides a 10-step approach to implement all issues relevant for good quality recycling. The 10-step approach can be found here http://www.fir-recycling.com/news/news
There is of course more knowledge and information behind the 10-step guideline. We look forward to further elaborate on the expansion of this approach and its dissemination in a good cooperation with the Commission.
Incinerator Bottom Ash
As more waste-to-energy facilities are built, the issue of IBA becomes more relevant. After incineration some 25% of incoming waste still remains, the waste issue therefore has not been resolved fully. IBA is a source of metals which are usually recovered. Optimum recovery however demands state-of-the-art and even better technologies which are now introduced in some Member States. There is still a potential that is not fully benefited from.
The main part of IBA is inert material which after preparation presents a construction material. Good use of this material (IBA aggregates, IBAA) has been proven in for instance The Netherlands and Germany. As IBAA in these cases is well controlled, environmental impacts are managed. In other areas this is not yet the case. As a consequence, a loss of good construction materials results and potential risks to the environment due to unproper waste management are likely.
FIR pleads for attention from the Commission and Member States to improve the management of IBA in Europe. Waste-to-energy can contribute to the Circular Economy when full advantage is taken from the residues it yields. This demands that policies are introduced and management of IBA becomes an element of the Roadmap.
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