The German Sustainable Economy Association (BNW) is proposing to examine a feed-in tariff for recycled plastics.
 

According to the BNW, it has introduced an innovative approach to the National Circular Economy Strategy (NKWS), which has also been included in the draft NKWS. The proposal still needed to be scientifically scrutinised. The use of recycled plastics is to be subsidised with a feed-in tariff modelled on the solar industry. According to the BNW, thus carbon dioxide emissions could be significantly reduced compared to the production of new plastic from crude oil. The level of remuneration should be based on the actual carbon dioxide and energy savings of the recycled materials used compared to primary plastics. The BNW points out that the EU will prescribe binding recycled material quotas for plastic packaging from 2030 and that quotas for the use of recycled plastics are also said to be introduced in other sectors. The feed-in tariff proposed by the BNW could help to create the necessary markets for recycled plastics. The instrument would ensure the necessary price equalisation with new plastics and thus create functioning market and innovation structures. This would create long-term competition with virgin plastic, which should be pushed out of the market where possible and thereby accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The German government wants to examine the ‘feed-in tariff’ for recyclates and draw up a proposal for the plastics sector.
 
Further information: BNW concept paper for download (in German)
 
Sources:

• BNW press release (4.9.2024)
• euwid-recycling.de (17.9.2024)
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