This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at España recicla y recupera el 35% de los residuos plásticos

Identiplast 2010 Congress details

Spain recycles and recovers 35% of the plastic waste

Drafting Interempresas03/12/2010

December 3, 2010

The rate of recycling and recovery of plastic waste in Spain in 2009 stood at 35 per cent and a total of 815,000 tonnes, a figure slightly higher than that of the previous year. However, our country remains far below the average rate of the European Union, which stood at 54 per cent. These data have been announced during the Congress 'identiplast 2010' PlasticsEurope, the association representing manufacturers of plastics, organized in London in November.

The rate of recycling and recovery of plastic waste increased 2.7% during 2009. Photo: Linda van Klaveren

Identiplast, European Congress focused on the recycling and recovery of plastic waste, brought together more than 160 experts in the field and served to share experiences among countries, aimed at achieving the objective of 'Zero landfill'. The next appointment with Identiplast will be in the autumn of 2011 in Madrid.

Recovery and recycling of waste plastics 2009

-In Spain
Rate: 35%
Weight: 0,815 million tons

-In Europe
Rate: 54 per cent
Weight: 13.1 million tonnes

European countries with different rhythms

The figures presented at the Conference reveal that at European level the rate of recycling and recovery of plastic waste increased 2.7% during 2009, with a total of 13.1 million tonnes. Last year, Europe whose 5.5 million tons of plastic waste, 1.2 per cent more than in 2008. Recovered energy of 7.6 million tonnes, which represented an increase of 1.5% compared to 2008. In the case of Spain whose more than 482.000 tons, and recovered energy-332,000 tonnes.

However, these figures reflected the large differences that exist between each of the 27 States members of the European Union. Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark lead the classification with a rate of close to 100% recovery and recycling and the first nine countries have rates above 80%. Other countries such as the United Kingdom and Spain have a long way to go. The British country ranked 21st, with a rate of 26%. Spain, with a rate of 35 per cent, is situated far from the level of countries like France and Italy.

Spain, with a rate of 35% in recycling and recovery, is situated far from the level of countries like France and Italy

Experts from all over Europe shared experiences during the Congress of London.

More than 160 specialists involved in Identiplast - representatives of the industry, the academic world and European institutions - discussed how get diverted from the landfill of 11.2 million tons of plastic waste whose potential is still wasted.

There is still a garbage dump of 11.2 million tons of plastic waste whose potential is wasted

Investing in education and collection

During the Congress found that increase the rate of recycling and recovery of plastic waste is to improve education and the collaboration of citizens on environmental issues. Passes also by a greater commitment by industry to invest in systems for the collection, separation and recycling of urban waste, increase the rates of landfill sites and even ban them.

Lightweight concrete made with waste

Different researchers shared the latest developments in which plastic waste can help create a more lightweight concrete, manufacture sleepers for railway lines, or use in more complex applications such as desktop fans, chopsticks for the Eastern market and components recycled for new vehicles.

One of the objectives of Identiplast is to promote ideas that will move to Europe to the 'zero landfill'

For Jan-Erik Johansson, director of the programme of efficiency of resources of PlasticsEurope, "IdentiPlast London has achieved its goal, which was to bring together the best experts of the EU to share best practices and learn about the latest innovations in recycling and the recovery of plastic waste." "We hope that participants apply some of the ideas that have emerged during the Congress and that will allow for further progress towards the objective of bringing Europe closer to the ' zero landfill".

About PlasticsEurope

PlasticsEurope is an Association of European companies in the plastics industry representing more than 100 signatures. According to the entity, these companies produce more than 90% of the polymer in the European Union, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Croatia and Turkey. The Association main purpose is to report on the industry of polymers and promote a contribution positive of plastics in the society. It has offices in Brussels, Frankfurt, London, Milan and Paris.