24 November, Brussels – Leaked proposals from the upcoming Circular Economy Package have revealed that the European Commission is to drop plans to impose a ban on landfilling of recyclable materials by 2025. The measure was present in the proposed package of the Barroso Commission, which was scrapped by the incoming Juncker Commission in early 2015.
The proposals also contain lower targets – of 65% rather than the previous 70% – for increasing the share of municipal waste re-used or recycled by 2030. The draft also does not set specific sub-targets for recycling and re-use of packaging materials, or for reducing food waste. This is despite the proposals noting that higher waste targets, “are associated with greater financial savings and environmental benefits”.
Measures are also suggested to simplify reporting requirements, to reduce the administrative burden for Member States.
The full new Circular Economy proposal is expected next month.