Friends of the Earth Europe organised an MEP seminar on the EU Waste Framework Directive in the European Parliament, Brussels. Over 50 participants attended, including Council, Commission and Member State officials (see list of participants).
The event launched initial findings of new research into the potential of CO2 emission savings from increasing Europe’s municipal waste recycling rates: up to 144 million tonnes CO2 equivalents could be saved each year by moving from current average recycling rates of 37 to 65%.
Five different recycling case studies were presented demonstrating the feasibility and viability of rapidly increasing recycling rates and identifying the necessary framework conditions. There are links to the presentations and related papers below.
European Parliament Rapporteur of the Directive, Dr Caroline Jackson, confirmed her commitment to defend Parliament’s first reading demands for EU wide recycling targets. Shadow Rapporteurs in general supported this approach.
* Tura (Hungary), Mr.
László Perneczky from HuMuSz (NGO)
* Portugal, Potential of Vermicomposting, Mr Rui Berkemeier from Quercus (NGO), - Presentation/paper
* Bristol (UK), Councillor Mark Bradshaw, Member for Access and Environment
* Netherlands, Mr Geert Cuperus from Tauw BV, - Paper
18.00
Panel discussion, chaired by Stefan Scheuer (Consultant)
Dr Caroline Jackson MEP, EP Rapporteur on Waste Framework Directive
Ms Bairbre de Brún MEP
Ms Mojca Drcar Murko MEP
Mr Klaus Koegler, Head of Waste Unit, DG Environment
Mr Michael Warhurst, Senior Campaigner, Friends of the Earth
18.45
Closing by Ms Jill Evans
Friends of the Earth Europe campaigns for sustainable and fair societies and for the protection of the environment,
unites more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups
and is part of the world's largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth International.
