New European Circular Economy action plan

The transition to a more circular economy is an essential contribution to the EU’s efforts to achieve a sustainable, carbon-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy. Along these lines, as part of the European Green Deal package of measures, a new Action Plan for the Circular Economy has recently been adopted that ets out more ambitious short-term goals, helping the economy make the transition to this new model.

These measures focus on the following lines of action:

Sustainable products. The Commission will propose legislation on Sustainable Products Policy, to ensure that products marketed on the EU market are designed to last longer, are easier to reuse, repair and recycle, and incorporate as much as possible recycled material instead of primary raw material. Single-use will be restricted, premature obsolescence tackled and the destruction of unsold durable goods banned.

Empower consumers. Consumers will have access to reliable information on issues such as the reparability and durability of products to help them make environmentally sustainable choices. Consumers will benefit from a true ‘Right to Repair’.

Focus on sectors that use the most resources and where the potential for circularity is high, such as:

• Electronics and ICT: Extend the shelf life of products and improve waste collection and treatment.
• Batteries and vehicles: new regulatory framework for batteries to improve sustainability and increase the circular potential of batteries.
• Packaging: new mandatory requirements on what is allowed in the EU market, including the reduction of overpacking.
• Plastics – new mandatory requirements for recycled content and special attention on microplastics as well as biobased and biodegradable plastics
• Textiles: a new EU strategy for textiles to strengthen competitiveness and innovation in the sector and boost the EU market for the reuse of textiles.
• Construction and buildings: a Strategy for a Sustainably Built Environment that promotes circularity principles for buildings.
• Food, water and nutrients: the “Farm-to-Fork” strategy to reduce food waste. Fostering circular approaches to water reuse in agriculture. Integrated Nutrient Management Plan, to guarantee a more sustainable application of nutrients and the stimulation of the recovered nutrient markets