25.11.2018

1

Recycling plastics from WEEE requiring a sensible and practical approach on POPs

Chris SlijkhuisMüller‐Guttenbrunn Group – Austria

www.mgg‐recycling.com

Foto: © Peter Essick

Exponential growth of an “invisible” pollutant 

Emitting CO2 is free of charge

It is a most urgent global environmental threat

And……..this discussion decoupled from debates over toxics and SVHC’s

https://climate.nasa.gov/climate_resources/24/  

June 2018:  410,79 ppm CO2

25.11.2018

2

What is circular economy about………

3

Reduction of extraction of resources, energy and CO2 emission savingsand reducing environmental risks.

Procurement Processing Selling

Self‐replenishing

Sustainable 

Growing supply

Growing supply

Land‐filled/Incinerated

< 10% of energy

< 10% of water consumption

Save about 3‐4 tons CO2/ton

Mechanical ‘mining’ process

Innovative technologies

More sustainable business

PCR plastics

Non target‐material is incinerated

“Green” products

Virgin‐like quality possible

WEEE plastics recycling makes a whole lot of sense

25.11.2018

3

The WEEE Recycling Process – TAC Guidance 

“Substances, preparations and components may be removed manually, mechanically or chemically, metallurgically with the result that hazardous substances, preparations, and components and those mentioned in Annex II are contained as an identifiable stream or identifiable part of a stream at the end of the treatment process. A substance, preparation or component is identifiable if it can be (is) monitored to prove environmentally safe treatment.”

Thus is WEEE plastic recycling at the end of the recycling process

WEEE plastic recycling 

6

Shredding Ferrous‐Metals

Non‐Ferrous & Precious MetalsPost‐Shredder Treatment

Plastic Recycling

De‐Pollution  

Polymer pellets end‐of‐waste

Batteries, Capacitors etc.

25.11.2018

4

WEEE Plastics Recycling is technologically grown‐up

Goods‐In and Pre‐processing

High‐tech plastic separation

Blending, Extrusion and Compounding

Lab Analyses on many parameters 

Based upon standards and legislation

And….there is too little of it

We risk to soon be extinct….

Legislation overview Brominated Flame Retardants

IT electronics

(microprocessors, computer servers, modems, printers, copy 

machines…)  

Consumer electronics

(hair dryers, heaters, TV sets, laptops…)

White goods

(tumble dryers, dishwashers, washing machines…)

EEE ProductsRegulations

Printed circuit boards

Housing

Cables

Connectors

Plastic Parts

DOPO 

Br’d PS

BDP

RDP

EBP

HBCD

c‐OctaBDE

ATH

MDH

TBBPA 

DecaBDE3

ATO

No restriction

POP underStockholm

Restriction under REACH

Restriction underRoHS

c‐PentaBDE

Mel.Cyanurate

Annex XIV

Source: EFRA 8

25.11.2018

5

Restricted BFRs in WEEE today

Some 90 % of WEEE plastics do not contain BFRs...

HIPS27%

ABS24%

PP5%

PE2%

HIPS FR2%

ABS FR3%

PC-ABS7%

PPO3%

POM1%

PVC1%

Other Thermoplastics

17%

Elastomers3%

Parts 2%

Metals2%

Wood2%

Other0%

WEEE PlasticsABS 24%HIPS 27%Polyolefines 7%PC and PC-ABS 7%BFR containing plastics 5%Other plastics 24%Other contaminants 6%

Source: MGG Polymers 

HIPS27%

ABS24%

PP5%

PE2%

HIPS FR2%

ABS FR3%

PC-ABS7%

PPO3%

POM1%

PVC1%

Other Thermoplastics

17%

Elastomers3%

Parts 2%

Metals2%

Wood2%

Other0%

WEEE PlasticsABS 24%HIPS 27%Polyolefines 7%PC and PC-ABS 7%BFR containing plastics 5%Other plastics 24%Other contaminants 6%

Source: MGG Polymers 

Restricted BFRs in WEEE today

Some 90 % of WEEE plastics do not contain BFRs...

HIPS27%

ABS24%

PP5%

PE2%

HIPS FR2%

ABS FR3%

PC-ABS7%

PPO3%

POM1%

PVC1%

Other Thermoplastics

17%

Elastomers3%

Parts 2%

Metals2%

Wood2%

Other0%

WEEE PlasticsABS 24%HIPS 27%Polyolefines 7%PC and PC-ABS 7%BFR containing plastics 5%Other plastics 24%Other contaminants 6%

Source: MGG Polymers 

25.11.2018

6

Restricted BFRs in WEEE today and adding Deca‐BDE 

Deca‐BDE is in focus since 2017…..why only since 2017?

Added  restriction –Deca‐BDE

Restricted today

Why is deca‐BDE in focus since 2017?  An overview of events. All PBDE‘s restricted in RoHS since the start (2004)

Two PBDE‘s were listed as POP since 2008 Octa‐ and Penta‐BDE listed as POP under the Stockholm Convention with an exemption for recycling The Basel Convention defined a „Low POP Content“ of 1000 ppm  The EU Defined UTC value of 10 ppm for virgin and 1000 ppm for waste and adopted Low POP Content of 1000 ppm 

Why was Deca‐BDE not immediately listed as well?  Completely different melting points (Penta‐BDE ‐3 – ‐7 °C, Octa‐BDE 85 – 89 °C, Deca‐BDE 290 – 306 °C)  Deca‐BDE was considered hazardous only at concentrations of >25%

Deca‐BDE was listed under REACH only in February 2017 With Impact assessment with a threshold of 1000 ppm

During the COP 2017 Deca‐BDE was listed as POP (Persistant Organic Pollutant) Through a lot of lobbying in nations without recycling the recycling exemption was not listed However quite some exemptions were listed for Deca‐BDE in  items such as car parts However no threshold was defined – that was up to the next Basel COP

Suddenly we identified a proposed Re‐Cast of the EU POP Regulation in June

POP Regulation re‐cast proposal included a 10 ppm UTC threshold…

25.11.2018

7

Non‐toxic NGO’s made studies like these 

These formed the basis for not getting the recycling exemption

Toys are not produced in Europe through

We operate a clear strategy for our PCR products• No toy, no medical, no food‐contact applications

EERA worked hard to work against this lobby 

Meetings with DG ENV, many ministries of environment, MEP‘s

Asking for a balanced approach not to stop recycling

We got recognition of Rapporteur Julie Girling• We got a well throught of Amendment proposal• With a 10 ppm threshold for the Deca‐BDE substance• And allowing 1000 ppm for Mixtures and Articles

25.11.2018

8

In August there was a televised Inventigation program

15These well timed communications did not help our cause

Cash Inventigation Fr2 – a 2.5 hour film, over 35 minutes about BFRs

Toys (again Rubi‐Cubes) contain „lots of BFRs and these come from recycling“

Quite some coverage about EU WEEE recyclers• „They cheat“• „They are not open“• „They do not sort well“• „And in recycled flakes….“• „We even found BFRs“

Export is now prohibited from France• Without proof by audit• That all flakes are without BFR‘s• Before these are extruded

The current status: EU Parliament stops WEEE plastics 

November 15th vote took place in the EU Parliamentunfortunately confirming 10 ppm UTC threshold for Deca‐BDE

Jitka Straková, POPs specialist researcher at Arnika, part of the International POPs Elimination Project (IPEN), told ENDS the MEPS who voted to reject Girling's proposals "voted in favour of children's health".  A recent study by Arnika showed elevated decaBDE levels in plastics toys in Europe.

"Today's decision by the Parliament can end this toxic recycling practice in the EU," said Straková. "If the proposal of the European Parliament is accepted by the Council, it will also open the door for stricter regulation on waste containing decaBDE, highly toxic persistent organic pollutants."

25.11.2018

9

Why can’t WEEE plastic recyclers live with a UTC threshold of 10 ppm?

Separation techniques not capable of eliminating BFR‘s completely TV Housing for instance start off with 150 000 ppm There are simply no separation techniques so efficient to handle a 100 % elimination. 

Deca‐BDE was listed in the EU Chemical Legislation (REACH) only last year Based upon an Impact Assessment ‐> 1000 ppm threshold limit Oviously this POP Regulation Re‐Cast can implemented without Impact Assessment – wonderful for Non‐Toxic NGO‘s.

Complex analyses by Gas‐Chromatography cannot be used for recycling Continuous analyses are required per batch of 1000 kg Preparation of samples is too complex and samples must be small The time required for one analysis is too long big and costs are prohibitively high

X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF Analysis) XRF analysis has proven to be the only viable QS method There is a standard for this EN 62321‐3‐1:2014 ‐ RoHS XRF measures total bromine but not capable to measure low values XRF method is validated for 1000 ppm  Lower values (<1000 ppm) for UTC and LPC would require transition time for validation

Will this become the first prime example of how legislation is based upon emotions?

Why can’t WEEE plastic recyclers live with a UTC threshold of 10 ppm?

Separation techniques not capable of eliminating BFR‘s completely TV Housing for instance start off with 150 000 ppm There are simply no separation techniques so efficient to handle a 100 % elimination. 

Deca‐BDE was listed in the EU Chemical Legislation (REACH) only last year Based upon an Impact Assessment ‐> 1000 ppm threshold limit Oviously this POP Regulation Re‐Cast can implemented without Impact Assessment – wonderful for Non‐Toxic NGO‘s.

Complex analyses by Gas‐Chromatography cannot be used for recycling Continuous analyses are required per batch of 1000 kg Preparation of samples is too complex and samples must be small The time required for one analysis is too long big and costs are prohibitively high

X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF Analysis) XRF analysis has proven to be the only viable QS method There is a standard for this EN 62321‐3‐1:2014 ‐ RoHS XRF measures total bromine but not capable to measure low values XRF method is validated for 1000 ppm  Lower values (<1000 ppm) for UTC and LPC would require transition time for validation

Or how legislation can kill recycling.

25.11.2018

10

The next steps in this POP Re‐cast process

EP adoption on the recast POPs Regulation took place on 15 November.

The Member States still have to establish their position and communicate this

Giving the EU Presidency the mandate to negotiate with the Parliament

This will most likely be done on 28 November – i.e. tomorrow.

First meeting EP Rapporteur, Presidency of EU Council and COM planned early December.

The possible outcomes for the UTC Threshold of Deca‐BDE Confirmation of the 10 ppm (this is what the non‐toxic NGO‘s hope for) A 1000 ppm threshold is highly unlikely, but theoretically possible still, 500 ppm more likely and in that case We need a transition period of 3-5 years to validate EN 62321‐3‐1 for 500 ppm Bromine Postponing the decision on this re‐cast.

It continues to be suspenseful and thrilling as you can see

But suddenly a few days ago…… 

A new IPEN study was published last Thursday (22 November)

A study on Brom‐Dioxins, calling for

What a “perfect” timing…

1. Not to allow the proposed 1,000 ppm limit for DecaBDE inrecycled plastics, but rather establish a 10 ppm limit

2. A more stringent limit for the definition of POPs waste (LowPOPs Content Level), ideally to establish it at a level of 50ppm for the sum of all regulated PBDEs

3. To withdraw the recycling exemptions for commercialPentaBDE and OctaBDE as they are currently establishedunder the Stockholm Convention and registered in the EUand several other states.

4. Add PBDD/Fs to the Stockholm Convention for globalreduction and elimination

5. Improve the definition of electronic waste within theframework of the Basel Convention

25.11.2018

11

Recycling in China…blending and extrusion

High Tech Extruder at MGG Polymers

25.11.2018

12

Fortunately we knew that something was cooking….

IPEN presented a paper at the DIOXIN conference last August in Krakow Exactly about these Br‐Dioxins The measurements reported in the IPEN report:

210 tot 17,000 pg TEQ/g (Measured according to the Dr. Calux screening method)

The paper is very technical and there are hardly any labs that can measure this

MGG Polymers decided to send 2 samples to one of the laboratories used by IPEN: PS sample (bromine content 536 ppm): 9,5 pg TEQ/g (Dr. Calux) ABS‐sample  (bromine content 186 ppm): 0,53 pg TEQ/g (Dr. Calux) To be compered to a EU threshold of 1000 pg

The products shown in the IPEN study almost certainly come from the Far East.

Hence: keep WEEE plastics recycling in the EU is the best option.

However it will be stopped if a threshold of 10 ppm becomes law

As if this is not enough, there is another debate about Low POP Content

Several UNEP Meetings SIWG, OEW to prepare for COP 2019

The EU prepared with a stakeholder consulation on Low POP Content of Deca‐BDE

EERA as well MGGP and other recyclers participated

The results were presented on October 26th, 2018 in a meeting in Brussels (presentation of 200 slides)

Derivation of LPCL range:

• (A) Analytical potential• (B) Background contamination• (DR) Disposal and recovery capacities• (E) Economic feasibility

• (LV) Limit values• (R) Risks (possible adverse effects on

human health and the environment)

Source: Ramboll

25.11.2018

13

Results of the evaluation of the LPCL and MPCL from Ramboll Study 

Source: Ramboll

• Recommendation LPCL: 100 to 1,000 mg/kg (decaBDE or as sum of all POP‐BDEs)

• Recommendation MPCL: 10,000 mg/kg (sum of the concentration of all POP‐BDEs)

• Recommendation Establish LPCL at 500 mg/kg for the sum of the concentrations of PBDE’s

• Consider adjusting IEC 62321 ‐ validated for 1,000 mg/kg: should be validated for 500 mg/kg (or theselected LPCL)

CPOP (mg/kg)

decaBDE

A1DR E LV

200.3 100 1,000

B MPCL

10,00050

A2

Upper limitation criteria

Lower limitation criteria

Concentration range of possible LPCLsLV

Option A,B

Criterion

An EERA, EuRIC, BSEF, PRE sent in a reaction to these proposals

Other interesting discussions in the EU regarding WEEE plastics and BFR’s

HP14 The HP14 Bio‐Test in France determines that WEEE plastics are hazardous The HP14 Bio‐Test in Austria determines that it is not hazardous. No harmonization at all in the topic of HP14, some countries calculation method other non‐hamonized bio tests.

New requirements in France Although several excellent audits the import from France (again) has been stopped We now need to prove that all recycled flakes contain < 2000 Bromine

WEEE plastics transports in parts of Europe continue to be impossible In Germany we have one notification request from an internal company ‐ almost 3 years and no shipments France – the PNTTD has stopped processing Notifications of WEEE plastics. The good news is that our NSRR Fast Track project is making progress

ECHA plans for creating a parts database with SVHC The idae being that recyclers would use this database to look for these parts to elminate them This risks to become a micro‐management of SVHC on parts level

Each of these topics could fill a presentation….

25.11.2018

14

This is how it feels……..

Recycler

An An intelligent balance between “Non‐Toxic” and “Circular Economy” is required

This is how we believe it should be…… 

Recycler

Conformity to StandardsDownstream controlsLegal compliance

Ressource savingsEnergy savings

CO2 savings

25.11.2018

15

Conclusions

The EU recyclers need legal certainty and clarity

The EU Parliament vote of 10 ppm would stop recycling This was based upon emotional issues and not on facts (toys from China). We set high hopes in the Trilogue Negotations of the EU And refuse to believe that stopping recycling of WEEE plastics is an option

For the environment (CO2, energy, resources, incineration) For the set targets of the EU

The Low POP Content can be a next threat EU proposes a 500 ppm threshold for all PBDE‘s The COP 2019 sets the LPC value We face the same non‐toxic lobby.

And this is not all: ECHA Database SVHC HP14 Transboudary shipments of the WEEE plastics within the EU

We require a sensible and practical approach on POPs

Thank you…