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Paper Recycling at a Record High in Europe
(11.10.2007 15.39 Uhr)

The European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC) is pleased to announce that the 'Monitoring Report 2006' of the 'European Declaration on Paper Recycling' confirms a record high for the latest paper recycling rate of 63.4%.

Brussels - Since last year additional sectors in the paper value chain joint CEPI and ERPA and pledged their support for the new 'European Declaration on Paper Recycling' to make sure that the best systems are in place to push the European paper recycling rate up to 66% by 2010.    

The 'Monitoring Report 2006' gives an overview of the sectors' achievements in 2006, including the latest figures of the European paper recycling rate.   

A total of 58.2 million tonnes of paper and board were recycled in Europe in 2006; an increase of 5.7 million tonnes (or +9.8%) since 2004, the base year for the target. Recycling of paper is a significant part of the paper manufacturing process in Europe but also a large industry in its own right, with links to a number of sectors in the global economy.    

The Declaration focuses on complementary actions by all of the sectors involved, and gives priority to the prevention of waste, improving the recyclability of paper and board products by eco-design, as well as further improving the quality of recovered paper available for recycling. Reaching the target of 66% would mean that some two tonnes of paper are recycled in Europe every second. Europe is already the global champion in paper recycling with a regional rate of 63.4%, higher than either Asia or America. The industries along the paper value chain have nevertheless raised the bar further and are working hard to reach the target they set themselves in 2006.    

"Our members have made focused efforts over the past year to boost the recovery and recycling rates of paper and board in Europe and I believe the result speaks for itself. A part of this is the continuing work in educating and training people about the importance of eco-design to increase recyclability. We are all committed to further develop this cooperation and complementary actions which will help us reach our target of 66% in 2010," commented Anders Hildeman, Chairman of the ERPC.   

"The European Recovered Paper sector will continue to improve and encourage collection at source and to use their expertise and best technologies to separate, process and market recovered paper for further recycling in europe and anywhere else in the world to feed paper and cardboard mills" stated Michael Kühl, ERPA President.   

The progress of the Declaration is being reported annually by the European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC).   

For more information, please contact the ERPC Secretariat, Jori Ringman, c/o CEPI (Tel.:+32 2 627 49 19) or ERPA office c/o BIR (Tel.: +32 2 627 57 70) - Information on ERPA can be viewed on www.erpa.info   

Text/Source: ERPA / BIR 

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