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In 2003 increased by 16% the recovery of packaging and 18% the volume of recycled compared to 2002

Ecoembes recovered more than a million tonnes of packaging waste during 2003

01/08/2004

The extension of the selective collection to greater number of people and a greater public awareness for the care of the environment from home have led to an increase of 16% in the selective collection of packaging and waste packaging compared to 2002which it has taken to recover 1.096.545 tons. Of this amount, more than 294,000 tons were valorizaron energy-while that 802.078 could be recycled, representing 73% of the total recovered and 18% increase over the previous year; nearly three of every four containers i.e., returned to become raw material for new production processes, which led to a considerable economic, energy, saving of resources, as well as a lower environmental impact.

The amount managed by Ecoembes in 2003 was 1.852.393 tons, figure that corresponds to the total amount of packaging that 11.638 companies adhering to its integrated system of management (GIS) put on the market. Of those nearly two million tonnes, 59.2 per cent (1.096.545) have been recovered and a 43.3% (802.078 tons) have been recycled, with what can be said that, once again, Ecoembes continues fulfilling and exceeding the targets which marks the Act of packaging and packaging waste in 1997. In total, since the implementation of selective waste collection in 1998, Ecoembes has recovered nearly four million tonnes of packaging and packaging waste that does not have ended up unnecessarily in landfills and that would have amounted to fill more than 300 football as the Santiago Bernabéu stadiums.

Materials, in 2003 have been recycled 467.894 tons of paper/cardboard (12.5% more than in 2002), 183.651 tons of metals (+ 23%), 140.660 tons of packaging of plastic (+ 32.6%) and 9.872 tons of wood, which, for the first time this year with a representative amountIt does not fall under the category of others.

Millions more people recycling

Last year ended with an attached of almost 39 million population (38.7 million) for the selective collection of paper/cardboard in blue container (36.5 million in 2002) and 34.5 million for light containers (plastic, cans and type brik) in yellow container, which is a remarkable growth over the previous year which was 29.2 million (18%) the Spanish with the possibility for selective collection in yellow container. It can be said, therefore, that 94.6 per cent of the Spanish population has had access to the selective collection of paper and cardboard, and 84.2 per cent of light packaging selective collection.

Almost 12,000 member companies

The GIS of Ecoembes is the second largest in Europe by number of companies adhering behind Germany with a total of 11.638 companies. Largest sectors are: food, with 50%; Hygiene and beauty, with 7.5%; Drinks (7.5%) and cleaning and maintenance, which account for 5% of the total. This year, the community with the largest number of affiliated companies is Catalonia, with 22%, followed by the Valencian Community, with a 15.5% and Madrid, with 12%.

Do billing, the beverages sector, with only 7.4% of the companies of the GIS, represents 36% of its turnover, the same percentage of the food sector, number of companies whose? almost 6,000 - accounts for half of the companies adhering to the GIS of Ecoembes.

120 agreements of collaboration

During 2003, Ecoembes signed five new agreements with local entities, closing the year with 120 agreements of collaboration, of which 107 were 13 conventions framework with autonomous communities and local entities. Also, 2003 was also the year of the renewals of authorisations in GIS. A total of 14 autonomous communities and Melilla renewed for five years more the authorization of the GIS.

As regards the classification of light packaging plants, in 2003 opened 12 new facilities, so there are 73 plants spread across all regions, except in La Rioja and Aragon, where under construction. Andalusia, with 18 plants in operation and Catalonia, with 13, are areas where there is more.

New packaging directive

One of the most prominent landmarks in 2003 has been the development of the new packaging directive, whose definitive publication occurred in the first weeks of 2004. Directive 2004/12/EC lays down a minimum overall goal of recycling of 55% and a minimum overall goal of recovery of the 60% that must be met by December 31, 2008.

Ecoembes

Ecoembalajes Spain, S.A. (Ecoembes) is a non-profit organization, whose purpose is the management of an integrated management system for the periodic and selective collection of waste from packaging and packaging used for subsequent recycling. It was constituted in November 1996 precisely to ensure compliance with the law 11/97 of packaging and packaging waste Packers and trading companies of pre-packaged products. A rule which established the obligation to recover at least 50% of packaging placed on the market for its subsequent recovery and recycling.Its shareholders consists of 57 undertakings and associations of companies representing all sectors involved in the packaging value chain, both manufacturers, Packers, dealers, manufacturers of raw materials and recyclers. The system of Ecoembes is composed nearly 11,700 business Spanish, responsible for 85% of the packaging placed on the market. All the bottles attached to the GIS of Ecoembes are identified with the Green point symbol which ensures compliance with the law and their subsequent recovery and recycling.