Recycling in Europe, the future of raw materials

Recycling in Europe? Momentum is building around the Circular Economy. The objective is to increase resource efficiency while reducing waste and pollution, including through ecological design. Last December, the European Commission introduced a Circular Economy package to promote this transition. The package consists in an Action Plan and timeline complemented by Directives for the European Union (EU). The principles of this package are deeply rooted in a need to strengthen the European Union’s efficiency and resilience in an increasingly dynamic world economy. This is presented as the natural result of a discourse set by the Commission in 2012 with the publication of Manifesto for a Resource Efficient Europe. An economic model works best when it benefits all actors involved; through this action plan, the EU must also strive for an economy that provides secure jobs for its citizens. This is also an opportunity to lead the international community in the commitments made towards achieving the goals set by the COP21.

This issue of The European Files provides an insight into the major proponents driving the Circular Economy. Central to the EU’s vision is its ability to push legislation for a more transparent, effective and standardized approach to recycling….