Jean-Marc Boursier, President of FEAD and COO of the SUEZ Group, spoke at the Waste and Communities 2019 conference in Hradec Králové on the importance of the circular economy for the future development of Czech industry and society.
Conference Waste and Municipalities
The Waste and Municipalities conference is organised by EKO-KOM, a company that provides a nationwide system of sorting and recycling packaging waste in the Czech Republic.
The conference is a traditional meeting point for waste management professionals and thus provides an important platform for sharing and gaining new experiences and knowledge.
JEAN-MARC BOURSIER AND HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEBATE ON WASTE MANAGEMENT
Jean-Marc Boursier spoke at the Waste and Municipalities conference on the topic of the circular economy. As an expert with a European perspective, he commented on the plan to delay landfill restrictions until 2030 and at the same time openly advocated for landfill restrictions in the Czech Republic as early as 2024. During his presentation, he did not forget to mention positive examples of landfill restrictions from other European countries. However, he also warned of the danger of diverting society away from landfilling to only one alternative for waste treatment. Examples cited included the problems of over-focusing on microbiological treatment of waste (MBT) in Poland and fuel from waste (TAP) in the UK.
AND HOW SHOULD WE ACHIEVE A SUCCESSFUL CIRCULAR ECONOMY, ACCORDING TO MR. BOURSIER?
First, we should collectively step up our efforts to reduce landfill and not waste the precious time we already have on this planet by delaying it. From Mr Boursier's point of view, this is an approach that today's generations, including himself, owe to their children and their future.
We should also work together to create stronger demand in the recycling market and focus on sustainable energy recovery.
Last but not least, Mr Boursier stressed the importance of finding a use for the so-called residual waste. This is because residual waste, also known as mixed municipal waste, consists of only those parts of waste that can no longer be used.
Meeting at the Ministry of Industry and Trade
After his lecture at the conference in Hradec Kralove, Mr. Boursier moved to Prague, where he met with the Minister of Industry and Trade Doc. Ing. Karel Havlíček, Ph.D., MBA and Director of the Department of Industrial Ecology Ing. Pavlina Kulhánková. Together they discussed the circular economy and plans to reduce landfilling in the Czech Republic.
