Page 34 - Plastics News August 2021

INTERNATIoNAL NEwS

Oregon Becomes Second US State To Pass Turkey Reverses Ban

Packaging EPR Law On Plastics Scrap

hortly after barring recovered PE
Sfrom import into the country,
Turkey’s government has repealed the
ban and implemented an enhanced
licensing system instead. A Turkish
plastics industry group called the
move a “positive step for the sector.”
The Turkish government in late May
announced it would end imports
of recovered PE, giving 45 days
of advance notice. The country’s
environment minister said Turkey has
a goal to source all of its raw materials
domestically. The 45-day period ended
early this month, and the ban went
into effect. But just days later, the
regon has passed an extended Stewardship Institute (PSI) CEO and government repealed the regulation. In
Oproducer responsibility (EPR) law founder Scott Cassel said: “With this
for packaging with the aim of improving new law, Oregon ratepayers will be
recycling and saving taxpayers money. provided [with] a much more accessible,
Governor Kate Brown signed the Plastic responsible and stable recycling system.
Pollution and Recycling Modernisation “It will also provide producers with
Act on 6 August, making Oregon the the financial incentive to make their
second US state to pass such legislation. packaging more sustainable, and local
Brand owners selling packaging, paper communities with funding for reuse
products and foodservice ware in Oregon and waste prevention programmes.” a July 10 Turkish language notice in the
will join stewardship organisations PSI policy and programmes manager country’s Official Gazette publication,
and pay fees to help expand recycling and packaging lead Sydney Harris said: the Ministry of Commerce said the
programmes and infrastructure across “It’s encouraging to see the extensive provision barring scrap PE imports
the state.The fees will be based on several provisions aimed at addressing recycling was removed. The commodity was
factors, including products’ recyclability, inequities and environmental justice moved back into the category of
their use of post-consumer recycled in Oregon’s new law. “We have these “controlled” imports, rather than
content and the life cycle impacts of elements in PSI’s policy model and hope banned. PAGEV, a Turkish plastics
the materials they use.Consumer brand to see them included in all packaging industry association, issued a release
payments are expected to fund around EPR legislation.” Last month, Maine outlining the changes. The organization
a quarter of the costs of a modernised passed a law requiring consumer brands said it met with government officials
recycling system. Despite the new law, to cover all recycling costs. This differs multiple times and “advocated active
residential and commercial ratepayers from the law passed in Oregon, under control instead of total ban on the
will continue to bear the costs of which producers will not have to cover importation of polyethylene waste.”
collection. The legislation also introduces collection costs. In 2009, Oregon passed From January through May of this year,
a statewide collection list intended to EPR legislation for paint in collaboration Turkey imported 7.3 million pounds of
help provide recycling access to rural with state and local governments, the recovered PE from the U.S., making
and remote communities. Product paint industry and other relevant bodies. it the seventh largest market for U.S.
exporters of the material.

34 PLASTICS NEWS AUGUST 2021