Date:              11 July 2008
Embargo:       None

 ESA Responds to EU Action Plan Recycling Initiative
The European Commission’s lead market initiative aims to identify promising emerging market areas which could be enhanced by policy measures at EU level, focusing on six areas of which one is recycling. The initiative states that there is significant market potential for recycling but barriers to market development need to be to be addressed.

ESA has supported the measures outlined in the recycling action plan.

ESA also noted that UK recycling markets are largely dependent on overseas demand and that ensuring the continued development of international opportunities requires development of robust international standards for recyclates.

ESA viewed the proposed actions for the initiative are a positive step, but argued that support would be required to develop a strong domestic reprocessing industry, the economics of which are not currently favourable. The development of a strong domestic industry would help to reduce the UK’s exposure to international markets but should not be supported at the expense of overseas opportunities.

ENDS
For further details on the EU Action Plan visit http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/leadmarket/leadmarket.htm