Circular Economy Package: Four Legislative Proposals On Waste [EU Legislation In Progress]

Although waste management in the European Union (EU) has improved considerably in the past decades, almost a third of municipal waste is still landfilled and less than half is recycled or composted, with wide variations between Member States. Improving waste management could deliver positive effects for the environment, climate, human health and the economy.

As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Commission made four legislative proposals in December 2015 introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

As the European Parliament and Council of the European Union begin their consideration of the proposals in 2016, stakeholders are divided.

Written by Didier Bourguignon (1st edition).

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Closing the loop: New circular economy package http://www.europeansources.info/record/closing-the-loop-new-circular-economy-package/

ESO: Closing the loop: Commission adopts ambitious new Circular Economy Package to boost competitiveness, create jobs and generate sustainable growth http://www.europeansources.info/record/commission-adopts-new-circular-economy-package/

FleishmanHillard: Circular Economy 2.0: We’ve mapped all 54 actions for you, January 2016 https://thewonk.eu/reports/circular-economy-20-weve-mapped-all-54-actions-for-you__rd280.html

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