Within the scope of the Technical Assistance for Development of End-of-Waste Concept in Türkiye, the first study visit was conducted in Brussels between 20-22 February 2024. With the support of the project consortium members EuRIC (European Recycling Industries’ Confederation) and EEB (European Environmental Bureau) and with the participation of representatives from the EU Commission, the 3-day technical study visit aimed to have direct contact with those working in the field of end-of-waste and to identify important issues to support the end-of-waste process for all waste streams in Türkiye.
On the first day of our study visit, the representatives of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and the project Technical Assistance Team were welcomed by Mr. Emmanuel KATRAKIS, Secretary General of EuRIC, and were briefed by Mr Fynn HAUSCHKE, EEB Policy Officer, on the developments in end-of-waste criteria legislation and the revisions to be made to the Waste Framework Directive and Waste Shipment Regulation.
Following the presentations of Baudouin SKA, President of FERVER (European Glass Recyclers) on end-of-waste criteria for cullet, Julia BLEES, Policy Director of EuRIC and Ekaterina STOYANOVA, Policy Officer of EURATEX (European Apparel and Textile Confederation) gave information on increasing the circularity of textile value chains. In addition, the views and evaluations of both organizations on end-of-waste studies on textiles were conveyed.
Maria VERA, Project Manager at EuRIC, made presentations on the EU plastics recycling industry and end-of-waste criteria for plastics.
On the second day of the study visit, Peter WESSMAN from the European Commission, Directorate-General for the Environment provided information on EU legislation and the European Commission. Following that, Huib van WESTEN made a presentation on the implementation and enforcement of IMPEL International and European waste shipment and waste management rules.
Within the scope of the study visit, a site visit was organised to "BST - Belgium Scrap Terminal" Kallo metal recycling plant and Groupe COMET" recycling plant and detailed information was received from the plant managers about the processes. In addition, the materials defined as end-of-waste were seen on site and information was received about the operation in the field for the management of these materials.
