This follows from Ecoticias article published in the 16/05/2008, entitled "Spain recycles more than half of packaging consumed and already exceeds the targets set by the EU in 2008" which is reproduced below:
Spain recycled in 2007 for 56.1 percent of the 4,000 million household packaging (plastic, cans, 'bricks' and other cardboard and paper) that hit the market , so has already exceeded the target set by the EU in 2008 (55 percent ) as advanced today in the Czech capital, Prague, Melchor Ordonez, the director general of Ecoembes ('www.ecoembes.com' non-profit company in Spain responsible for the Integrated Management of Packaging Waste ( SIG. Ordoñez participates with other leaders of the autonomous entity and directors of the Environment in the Fourth Congress 'Pro Europe' on recycling, which includes management systems the so-called 'Green Dot' of ten European countries and Canada, and meets every two years to exchange experiences and knowledge on new strategies for resource management. The results of last year, which will be presented next July in Madrid, show that the English recycled 1.16 million tons of containers last year , p ut together 1.3 million recovered tons, ie, prevented 63.5 percent of all containers used ended up in landfills, either because they were recycled (56.1 percent) or because they were recovered (burned to generate energy that is channeled to the network electric 5 percent. Europe marked a recovery rate of 60 percent this year. "We recovered two out of three base plates and recycle more than one in two," said Ordonez, who recalled that the results exceed the minimum in a year marked by the Law on Packaging and Packaging Waste (LERE) and the European directive on this matter. By types of materials have also been exceeded digits dialed. So the past year with 74.4 percent recycled paper and cardboard (the target was 60 percent, 32.5 percent of plastic (target, 22.5 percent, a 63.2 percent metal target, 50 per cent and 38.2 per cent of target timber, 15 percent.
SPAIN, 'BRONZE MEDAL' IN EUROPE
As the goals for 2008, Ecoembes expected to recycle up to 59 percent of all packaging placed on the market and the recovery of between 64 and 65 percent. Respect to its position of Spain within the 'Pro Europe, "Ordonez said all the figures place Spain in third place, behind Germany and France , with the difference that the English began much later recilcar . "We have a turnover of 350 million euros, 12,500 companies participate in the system and about 100 workers on staff," he said. Our level of recycling is between 50 to 60 per ceinto, in line with France, Ireland and Holland. Meanwhile, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Luxembourg in the lead group, have a higher recycling level to 60 percent. "Ecoembes born in 1998 from the entry into force of the English legislation that forces companies to put packages in the market to manage their recovery. Since then it has recovered 8.9 million tonnes, equivalent to filling 650 football stadiums like Barnabéu Santiago, with an average of 110 stages each year. In any case, Ordonez said that in recent years has recycled more than ever and, in particular 2007 has been a year "break." The number of citizens who said serparar some remaining at home has risen from 70 to 85 percent in one year, and tons of 10 to 12 per inhabitant per year, representing a growth of 20 percent -added -. Basque Country, Catalonia. Navarra and La Rioja, are the regions that have a higher level of recycling and recovery . "As the ceiling recycling in Spain, but could be reached much higher levels, Ordoñez advised against a rate higher than 80 percent for reasons economic and environmental. "A high figure is not economically or environmentally sustainable rentalbe because the level of CO2 emissions, for example by miles collection and delivery of waste far exceeds the benefits. We must find a balance that is reasonable and in any case meet at least you say the European directive, "he said.
CO2 from the incineration
precisely about the current controversy regarding the emsiones carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by the incineration of packaging that are not recycled (5 percent in Spain, said English law requires a recovery (energy recovery through waste incineration) of 5 points over recycling. "Ideally, all resources devoted to recycling, but we can not forget we have a legal obligation to value of the waste, "he said. Regarding the plastic bags and the Government's intention to seek an alternative solution or limiting their use, said waste is" very bright suffered numerous attacks its environmental impact. "But they are necessary. The outlets are not prepared to do without them and the houses either. Do not believe the solution is not a levy on them because in the end he moved the consumer price and are still used. The stock returns could be a solution, "he reflected. In late 2007, Ecoembes had more than 12,350 member companies, of which a 51 percent belong to the food industry, 8 percent, beverages, up 7 percent to health and beauty and a 5 percent to the field of cleaning and maintenance. For a decade, the implementation of the system has led, according to its leaders, the creation of 6,000 direct jobs and 19,000 were also made steps to reduce the weight and volume andthe containers. Ecoembes receives its resources from contributions from the companies participating in the SIG and the Coester extra funding is to local and regional implementation of the collection compared to traditional garbage collection. Currently, only 6 percent of all packaging placed market is outside the GIS, which allows 43.6 million people participate in the system of collecting cardboard and paper yu to 42.8 million, in the light container.
