Barbara Hendricks, Frosch and Recyclable Materials Legislation


At the company's invitation, the minister visited in advance of action on amendments to the recyclable materials legislation and met with NABU Deutschland, a Recyclate Initiative cooperation partner and consultant to W&M in environmental issues. NABU Rhineland-Palatinate has cooperated with FROSCH for several years on NABU projects, including the "Upper Rhine Lifeline." On the subject of PET packaging waste, NABU takes a firm position with its engagement in the Recyclate Initiative. NABU Deutschland President Olaf Tschimpke told Dr. Hendricks, "The Recyclate Initiative has shown that something other than incineration is technologically possible." He also expressed his opposition to using PET waste as auxiliary fuel. "Waste incinerators do not have to run forever, but can be converted for more flexible operation."
From the CDU and SPD parliamentary groups, the minister presented a position paper (a compromise of coalition rapporteurs) on modern recyclable materials legislation that puts sustainable, community and consumer-friendly product responsibility in the foreground. According to the paper, the "ecological effectiveness of household collection of recyclables" should be "noticeably improved." Furthermore, the actual requirements should be "dynamic" and based on "the state of the best available technology in use." The signatories suggested that licensing fees take into account the recyclability of packaging and products and incentives be set up for product design based on ecological criteria. Mr. Schneider used similar terms in urging politicians to take up the cause of sustainability: "We need an incentive that moves companies with product responsibility to use more recyclates in the manufacture of packaging." Established as an Open innovation project, the Recyclate Initiative also brings competitors onboard. "You have found the right strategy," said Dr. Hendricks, as she thanked Mr. Schneider for the invitation and once again encouraged the Recyclate Initiative participants to continue on their way. Just last November the minister presented the German Federal Ecodesign Award to the Recyclate Initiative.
Other participants in the discussion with Dr. Hendricks and Werner & Mertz included Siegfried Schuch, the regional chairman of NABU Rhineland-Palatinate; Dr. Benjamin Bongardt, team leader for resource policy in NABU national association; and Timothy Glaz, W&M Corporate Affairs manager.
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