“No more lies!” – NGOs use Pinocchio figure to expose big polluters reporting false data

Today, a large group of European NGO representatives, members of the Break Free From Plastic movement and Zero Waste Europe network, displayed a large Pinocchio figure in front of the European Commission building in Brussels. The action illustrates how big consumer brands and supermarkets, with Member states’ leniency, are holding back the deployment of EU green legislation to reduce single-use plastic packaging by reporting false data on the true performance of reuse, separate collection and recycling systems in many European countries.

The success of EU waste directives and regulations relies on its proper implementation by Member states. A cornerstone of legislation is waste reduction and recycling rate targets. However, a recent report by Eunomia, ZWE and Spanish Zero Waste Alliance, reveals that the packaging industry, represented by the PRO Ecoembes, has been falsely reporting the real performance of recycling systems for decades in order to block the implementation of waste legislation, such as a ban on certain packaging, the obligation to use reusable packaging or the implementation of deposit and return systems.

Larissa Copello, Packaging & Reuse Policy Officer at Zero Waste Europe states:

“The new Commission must force Member states not to accept false data from industry, otherwise all the efforts to implement strong progressive legislation – which is absolutely necessary – will be in vain. Data reporting plays a key role in ensuring a sturdy implementation of laws. For instance, reporting of recycling, waste prevention and separate collection targets could lead to an exemption from the obligation to meet reuse targets or from the obligation to implement deposit return schemes by Member States according to the final agreed text of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. Therefore, the Commission needs to make sure the reporting of the data is transparent and done properly, otherwise such measures would be pointless and not enforceable.”

Miquel Roset, Director and Spokesperson at Retorna, states: 

“The case of Spain, the home country of Vice-President designate Teresa Ribeira, is emblematic of the problem with falsified reporting on recycling results in Europe. Four months ago, we presented a report, together with Zero Waste Europe and Eunomia, to inform the Spanish government that the real figure for separated collection of plastic beverage bottles under three litters was 36%, almost half of the 71% claimed by the PRO Ecoembes. By the end of October, Spain must report whether this figure has reached 70% and, if that is not the case, the Spanish Waste Law dictates the implementation of a deposit and return system.”

Chloé Schwizgebel, Project Coordinator at Fair Resource Foundation, states: 

“For years now, the recycling figures reported by Belgium are incredibly high. So high that recycling of glass officially reached 120% in 2023, which is not technically possible. Looking at all the packaging littering the streets in Brussels, how can that be possible? Yet, Belgium – and other Member states – are not held accountable for such fanciful results. Adding new targets without ensuring more enforcement won’t improve the situation.”

ENDS

Press Contacts

For further information, please contact:

• Bethany Spendlove, Europe Communications Officer.  T: +49 176 59 58 79 41 [email protected]
• Sean Flynn, Media Outreach and Communications Officer. T: +32 471 96 55 93 [email protected]
• César Sánchez, Communications Director of Retorna (Spain). T: +34 644 165 965 [email protected]

 About Break Free From Plastic (BFFP)

#BreakFreeFromPlastic is the global movement working to achieve a future free from plastic pollution. More than 13,000 organizations and individuals around the world have come together to demand reductions in single-use plastics and to advocate for lasting solutions to the plastic pollution crisis. BFFP members work together to bring about systemic change by tackling plastic pollution across the whole value chain – from extraction to disposal – focusing on prevention rather than cure.

https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org

About Zero Waste Europe

Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) is the European network of communities, local leaders, experts, and change agents working towards a better use of resources and the elimination of waste in our society. We advocate for sustainable systems; for the redesign of our relationship with resources; and for a global shift towards environmental justice, accelerating a just transition towards zero waste for the benefit of people and the planet. 

www.zerowasteeurope.eu