FEAD and FIR form partnership to enhance mineral waste management
The European Waste Management Association (FEAD) has announced a partnership with the Fédération Internationale du Recyclage (FIR) aimed at promoting and developing circular economy initiatives focused on the management of mineral waste. This collaboration comes as both organisations strive to operate independently while enhancing their capacities to address technical and policy challenges related to mineral wastes.
The partnership is particularly significant in light of its alignment with the European Union's environmental priorities, which emphasise reducing waste and improving the efficiency of mineral management. A spokesperson for FEAD indicated that the partnership would create a collective voice in Europe to address industry priorities concerning efficient mineral waste management.
Historically, FEAD and FIR have collaborated on initiatives concerning the definition of ‘end-of-waste’ criteria and various chemical regulation reforms. Their latest joint effort seeks to leverage their combined resources to effectively tackle issues surrounding mineral waste management.
“This structured partnership will ensure a stronger, unified message on key policy areas, benefiting members by streamlining their engagement and avoiding duplication of efforts across multiple associations, ultimately saving time and resources,” the FEAD spokesperson stated.
The organisations highlighted the importance of developing strategies to manage mineral waste, especially concerning the Construction and Demolition Waste (C&DW) and Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA), which are viewed as significant waste streams within the EU. FEAD’s research indicates that C&DW accounts for approximately one third of all waste generated in the EU, with 295 million tonnes of aggregates recycled across the 27 EU member states in 2022.
Challenges in addressing mineral waste include the complexity of current supply chains and the limited political focus on the issue. The spokesperson further commented that the collaboration intends to drive progress in mineral waste management by advocating for supportive regulations, promoting best practices, fostering innovation, and advancing circular economy solutions.
FEAD’s secretary general, Paolo Campanella, expressed that the partnership with FIR would enable them to tackle more issues both technically and politically. “Mineral waste holds significant potential for the EU's circular economy goals, and together, we can share knowledge and develop strategies to meet these challenges head-on,” he said.
Geert Cuperus, secretary general of FIR, emphasised the critical need for effective approaches to manage and recycle mineral waste, viewing it as a vital component for more sustainable operations and supply chains. He stated, “Together with FEAD, we can pool our expertise and learn from each other to push forward innovative solutions. For these reasons, FIR is delighted to partner with FEAD.”
This partnership arrives amidst a growing trend among municipal bodies in the UK, which are addressing the management of construction waste. Recently, the City of London Corporation announced its commitment to implementing a new waste and reuse strategy aimed at fostering a circular economy within the city centre by 2040. As part of its Circular Economy Framework and Action Plan, the corporation plans to introduce new requirements concerning the treatment of construction product waste while also developing new recycling facilities to support local businesses, residents, and visitors in London's primary financial district.