From waste to resource management

The expansion of waste policy to tackle the broader goals of sustainability and resource preservation will be central to the fourth Pro Europe international congress next month.

Under the patronage of the EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, the congress will look into the EU's emerging 'Sustainable Production and Consumption' strategy and how this will shape the future policy framework for the packaging industry.

"The Prague congress is an exciting opportunity to look beyond traditional waste management. I look forward to a strategic debate with international experts addressing the new sustainability policy trends and what they will mean in terms of shared responsibility for politicians, industry and consumers", says Pro Europe president Bernard Hérodin.

Coinciding with the final talks over the review of the Waste Framework Directive, the congress will also tackle key issues regarding its future implementation and explore how waste management is being addressed outside Europe.

Representatives of Unesco will receive the 'Let's change our daily habits' report, written by the Youth Eco-Parliament (YEP), the third edition of an environmental education programme sponsored by Pro Europe. Based on environmental projects at local level, the YEP report will outline the vision of students from 11 countries on how to achieve the goals of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

At the crossroads of Europe, Prague will be a most appropriate host, providing a unique opportunity to reflect on the environmental achievements and future challenges for an enlarged union.

Representing the Green Dot in Malta and as part of Pro Europe, GreenPak will be participating in this event. Authorised by Mepa, GreenPak has been recovering packaging on behalf of companies in Malta since 2005.

The congress 'Green Dot 2008: From waste to resource management', will take place in Prague on May 15-16.