COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION of 3 December 1981 concerning the re-use of waste paper and the use of recycled paper (81/972/EEC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the draft recommendation submitted by the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2),

Whereas the resolution of the Council of the European Communities and of the representatives of the Governments of the Member States meeting within the Council of 17 May 1977 on the continuation and implementation of a European Community policy and action programme on the environment (3) states that priority in work on waste shall be given inter alia to the question of waste paper;

Whereas Article 3 (1) of Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste (4) states that Member States shall take appropriate steps to encourage the prevention, recycling and processing of waste, the extraction of raw materials and possibly of energy therefrom and any other process for the re-use of waste;

Whereas waste paper constitutes a significant percentage of urban waste and is technically recoverable, on a selective basis, as a secondary raw material for the manufacture of certain paper and board products;

Whereas the Community's present deficit of raw materials for paper and board manufacture has to be made up by imports from third countries, both of pulp as well as paper and paper based products, the latter being principally manufactured from virgin fibre;

Whereas the cost/benefit implications of waste recycling for paper and board manufacture including fluctuations in waste paper prices, costs of collection and sorting of waste paper and board and possible savings in waste disposal costs should be taken into account;

Whereas the use of waste paper instead of cellulose or wood pulp in manufacturing paper and board products enables substantial savings of energy and fresh water to be made, produces fewer effluents and less atmospheric pollution and contributes towards easier waste disposal;

Hereby recommends that Member States and Community institutions define and implement policies to promote the use of recycled paper and board and in particular to: (i) encourage the use of recycled and recyclable paper and board, especially in Community institutions and national administrations, public bodies and those national official services which can set an example;

(ii) encourage, where feasible, the use of recycled paper and board containing a high percentage of mixed waste paper;

(iii) re-examine in the light of recent technological advances the existing specifications for paper products which restrict, for reasons other than adequacy of a product for its purpose, the re-use of waste paper and the use of recycled paper and board;

(iv) implement programmes of consumer and manufacturer education to promote paper and board products made from recycled paper and board; (1) OJ No C 28, 9.2.1981, p. 66. (2) OJ No C 331, 17.12.1980, p. 27. (3) OJ No C 139, 13.6.1977, p. 1. (4) OJ No L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39.

(v) develop and promote uses for waste paper other than as a raw material for the manufacture of paper and board;

(vi) encourage the use of products (inks, glues, etc.) which do not preclude the subsequent recycling of paper and board.

Done at Brussels, 3 December 1981.

For the Council

The President

T. KING