Call EU to tighten recycling targets

A Friends of the Earth campaign email urged me to help build pressure for binding recycling targets in the new EU Waste Framework Directive. This is critical and I would encourage others to also email Stavros Dimas, the European Commissioner for Environment, here.

Photo: Ruscombe Wednesday morning

However it is my view that Friends of the Earth have not aimed high enough - they are right to call for a transformation in how we address waste in Europe, moving away from disposal and towards prevention, reuse and recycling. Research has clearly shown that recycling and waste prevention are good for the climate but FoE are calling only for a minimum of 50% of municipal waste and 70% of construction, demolition, industrial and manufacturing waste by 2020.

Flanders is already at 70%: it is possible we should be aiming much higher and as the FoE action allows you to change the email I made that point in the introduction of the email action.