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«The position of the trilogue which, on the basis of a new study of which none of us was aware, repudiates the decisions of the European Parliament on the packaging regulation, is on the one hand a very hard blow to democracy and, on the other, a landmine that risks shattering our packaging valley, the world‘s leading production district for automatic machines.” Vincenzo Colla, councilor for economic development and green economy, work and training of Emilia-Romagna, openly takes the side of industry, and therefore of recycling, in the face of the ideological threat that has reared its head again in Brussels after the meeting last February 5 between Parliament, Commission and Council of the EU on reuse as the only main path for the green transition. At stake are, on Via Emilia alone, 22 thousand direct jobs in 222 companies that generate a turnover of almost 6 billion euros. Including names such as Coesia, Ima, Marchesini, Robopac, Sacmi, giants that are not driving the internationalization of the region but are champions of sustainable investments in their territory.
Councilor, if the trilogue line passes with the ban on packaging in the name of reuse, what risks do you see for our economy?
A very high risk, because when we talk about packaging machines in Italy, we are talking about a very high quality manufacturing niche, which exports almost 80% of its turnover around the world (9 billion preliminary balance for 2023, ed.), which supports the balance commercial sector throughout the country and, above all, which guarantees almost 40 thousand direct jobs. The environmental objectives that Europe has set itself are fundamental, but they cannot be to the detriment of the stability of a system of great innovation which is investing more than any other global competitor in the energy and environmental sustainability of the workplace. This also compromises social stability and people’s safety and health, because let’s not forget that packaging has improved our living conditions. In addition to the economic threat, however, I also see a big risk for our democracy.
Are you referring to the position taken in the trialogue?
A small circle cannot question with a “coup de theatre”, in the name of a new study, the decision of the highest democratic expression of the European Union, the Parliament, which last November voted by a large majority and across the board to all parties a text that is the result of difficult mediation, which rebalances the recycling and reuse of packaging. It is a very dangerous precedent, because new research is like an appeal to the TAR: it cannot be denied to anyone! If it works like this, when faced with a democratically made decision that I don’t like, I have a new search done and unilaterally change the outcome. There is something wrong.