Environment committee MEPs voted with a large majority (99%) on new rules to collect and recycle more of Europe's growing stream of electrical and electronic waste. MEPs want more ambitious targets than the Council. Other provisions would allow consumers to return small e-waste items to shops and prevent the illegal shipping of waste to non-OECD countries.

Waste of electrical and electronic equipments: extracts from the vote and statement by Karl-Heinz FLORENZ (EPP, DE)

Exterior shot of the European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium, (1 shot) 

SOUNDBITE (in English): Karl-Heinz FLORENZ (PPE, DE), rapporteur:  "The vote was exceptionally good with 99% of the MEP's in favour, that means that the Council should be aware of our very motivated position. One point is very important, we want the raw material, which has been used in the European Union to be recycled, so that future generations can make use of those materials, in this key aspect the Council has a spitted position, but we will support him to reach a common position with us."

SOUNDBITE (in English): Karl-Heinz FLORENZ (PPE, DE), rapporteur:  "We have made sure that we have higher recycling targets. For example, we have one country in the North of Europe with 16 kilo per capita in comparison with one in the South with only 3 kilo, that can't continue like this, all have to get engaged. The collection quota will rise and will be become more obligatory, so for once we get common standards in the European Union, earlier on it was functioning under a National angle and did not provide a common path. The financial impact is cleared and I'm sure that we provided a very good proposition. The Council has to move now and to come closer towards the position of the European Parliament."

SOUNDBITE (in English): Karl-Heinz FLORENZ (PPE, DE), rapporteur: "There is back up from the industry, but we are not doing everything they want us to do. There are 2-3 amendments falling out, this might be unsatisfying for them, but this report is not concentrating on the industry, it deals on the essential challenge of having raw material in the future, if the industry has no raw material in the future there won't be able to produce modern products, so there the industry is well advised to find good solutions with the European Parliament. If all work with us the proposal can get only better, therefore I can only invite all participants."

Waste of electrical and electronic equipments: extracts from the vote and statement by Karl-Heinz FLORENZ (EPP, DE)

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