On 7th of November 2024, an international workshop organized by LIFE FitforREACH-2 brought together waste management experts, processors, ministries, and industry stakeholders from the Baltic States and Poland. The focus was on addressing the regulatory framework for waste management, recycling challenges, and identifying hazardous substances in waste streams.
Participants from each country engaged in working groups to identify key waste streams impacted by hazardous substances, discussing both the challenges these pose to recycling and opportunities for collaboration within the project.
Significant points emphasized:
• EU regulations push/force recycling of waste, but there is no certainty that recycled products are safe.
• A lot of products are coming to the market outside the EU and there is no control over them.
• Higher quality material should not be reprocessed into a product of a significantly lower category.
• There are many risks in recycling mixed packaging, as it includes both food packaging and packaging for substances contaminated with chemicals.
The event highlighted the importance of supporting waste treatment companies in managing waste containing hazardous substances. LIFE FitforREACH-2 aims to:
- Improve sector awareness about chemicals in waste and their effect on secondary material quality.
- Provide methodological and practical tools for waste treatment companies in the Baltic States and Poland.
- Pilot innovative solutions with recruited companies to enhance recycling processes.
- Network with experts, authorities, waste treatment companies, as well as with international and national associations to exchange on chemicals and the circular economy.
International waste seminar presentations:
1_Intro on waste_issues_in_FFR2_scope_Ingrida_Bremere
2_Keynote_HS relevant for recycling sector__Antonia_Reihlen
3_End_of_waste_regulations_A_Tonderski_Pommino
4_Legislation example_C-D waste-Denmark_Juhan Ruut
5_WeeRec_presentation_Hans_Talgre_Estonia
6_Harmful_chemicals_textile_waste_Mecki_Naschke
7_R_Āboltins_LBA_Life_Circular_CDW
8_Approach_HS in waste chains_Antonia_Reihlen
9_Approach to waste case studies_Juhan Ruut
10_Next steps_FFR2-Ingrida_Bremere