Germany’s shredder operators have voiced extreme concern about a change in the guidelines governing the landfilling of materials. A new regulation which came into effect on February 1 outlaws the dumping of wastes of more than 6000 kilojoules unless clear alternatives are provided. Previously, as much as 300 000 tonnes per year of waste with a calorific value of up to 24 000 kilojoules could be landfilled.
Rolf Willeke, Managing Director of German scrap federation BDSV, observes: ‘Many of these residues are not very popular because the calorific value is too high to be handled by most incinerators.’ The authorities have suggested increasing exports or intermediate storage but capacities are limited in both cases, adds Mr Willeke.
The law allows for exceptions but these differ among the individual German states, therefore leading to competition. According to the BDSV, the new law creates serious uncertainty. ‘Scrap yards may have to reduce their intake of cars etc, and even more scrap metal will leave Germany for countries with easier regulations,’ warns Mr Willeke. The BDSV is unhappy that the law has been introduced without prior consultation and is now trying to reach a compromise based on allowing an annual average calorific value of 18 000 kilojoules.
