Press Release: Environment: Higher recycling targets to drive transition to a Circular Economy with new jobs and sustainable growth

The European Commission adopted on the 2 July 2014 proposals to turn Europe into a more circular economy and boost recycling in the Member States.

Achieving the new waste targets were expected to create 580 000 new jobs compared to current performance, while making Europe more competitive and reducing demand for costly scarce resources. The proposals also mean lower environmental impacts and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The plans ask Europeans to recycle 70 % of municipal waste and 80 % of packaging waste by 2030, and ban burying recyclable waste in landfill as of 2025. A target is also included for reducing marine litter along with food waste reduction objectives.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/450: Questions and answers on the Commission Communication "Towards a Circular Economy" and the Waste Targets Review http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-450_en.pdf

European Commission: DG Environment: Moving towards a circular economy http://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/

European Commission: DG Environment: Waste http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/target_review.htm

ESO: Background information: Commission outlines measures to maximise job opportunities in the green economy http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-employment-commission-outlines-measures-to-maximise-job-opportunities-in-the-green-economy/

ESO: Background information: Green Action Plan for SMEs: turning environmental challenges into business opportunities http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-green-action-plan-for-smes-turning-environmental-challenges-into-business-opportunities/

ESO: Background information: Environment/industrial policy: Live and work in better buildings http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-environment-industrial-policy-live-and-work-in-better-buildings/

ESO: Background information: Environment: It's the Ecology, Stupid http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-environment-its-the-ecology-stupid/

ESO: Background information: The Circular Economy (EurActiv Special reports) http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-circular-economy-special-reports/

European Commission: RAPID: SPEECH/14/527: Speaking points by Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik on Circular Economy http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-527_en.pdf

EurActiv, 03.07.14: EU tables ‘circular economy’ package with zero-landfill goal http://www.euractiv.com/sections/sustainable-dev/eu-tables-circular-economy-package-zero-landifll-goal-303259

EUObserver, 03.07.14: EU proposes new waste and recycling targets http://euobserver.com/environment/124859

The Guardian, 02.07.14: Can the UK meet a 70% recycling target? http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/02/can-the-uk-meet-a-70-recycling-target

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