The EC calls for "less waste and more value" and identifies key instruments for waste management success.
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Despite efforts at national and European level, the amount of waste is not decreasing. The European Union generates 2.5 billion tons of waste per year, according to data from the European Commission, which states that additional efforts are needed by the Member States for better waste management.
According to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), eighteen of the twenty-seven member countries are at risk of missing at least one of the 2025 targets of recycling 55% of municipal waste and 65% of packaging. Only Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands are on track to possibly meet both recycling targets set by the EU.
Under the Green Pact, in March 2022 the European Commission proposed a package of measures to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The proposals, which were announced in the Circular Economy Action Plan, include boosting sustainable products, revising the regulation on construction products, a new strategy on textiles and empowering consumers for the green transformation.
Circularity must be integrated at each and every stage of the product value chain to achieve a true circular economy, from design and production through the consumer to end-of-life. The Commission's action plan sets out seven crucial sectors: electronics and ICT; batteries and vehicles; packaging; plastics; textiles; construction and buildings; and food, water and nutrients.
Plastics are one of the priority areas of action for the EC, considering that less than a quarter of those collected are recycled and almost half end up in landfill. The European strategy on plastic waste aims to progressively reduce microplastics and single-use plastics.
In this regard, the new packaging standards proposed in November 2022 envisage a shift to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics . They also include proposals to improve packaging design and provide clear labels to support proper recycling.
Another priority set in the circular economy action plan is to reduce e-waste. Waste electronic equipment is one of the fastest growing waste streams in Europe, and less than 40% is recycled. MEPs support promoting a longer life for these products through reuse and "right to repair".
To make progress on the EU's ambitious roadmap towards climate neutrality by 2050, countries must implement or update their national plans and circular economy strategies. A second report also prepared by the EEA points to some instruments, such as landfill tax, pay-as-you-throw or separate collection systems, as effective tools for the prevention and sustainable management of waste.
The European Commission recommends the use of economic instruments, and particularly the landfill tax, to meet EU recycling targets. These recommendations were reflected in the current EU waste legislation, which amends Directive 2008/98/EC.
Although tax levels vary considerably between States, the average for Europe is around 39 to 46 euros per tonne of waste deposited. Generally, incineration is taxed at a lower level than landfill, and many countries apply lower taxes taking into account energy recovery.
Another effective measure that, according to the OECD, has a positive impact on recycling rates is the Pay as you throw (PAYT) or pay-as-you-throw (PAYT) system. An economic incentive that seeks both to generate less waste and to promote the participation of waste producers in selective collection.
Based on the "polluter pays" principle, PAYT systems consist of citizens and public or private entities paying for collection services in proportion to the amount and type of waste generated. Thus, each household or business is charged for the actual generation of waste.
In addition to economic instruments, separate waste collection is also a key element in improving recycling rates. In order to facilitate preparation for reuse and high quality recycling, it demands that citizens and other producers separate waste at source .
The Waste Framework Directive requires separate collection of at least paper and cardboard, plastic and glass. This will also be mandatory for bio-waste (food and garden waste) by the end of 2023 and 2025 for textiles and household hazardous waste. As bio-waste represents the largest fraction (37%) of municipal waste, its separate collection is essential to meet EU waste policy targets.
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