5 May, Brussels – Karl Falkenberg, the Director-General for European Commission DG Environment has called for a ban on landfilling in the EU, to provide security for investments in recycling and the circular economy.
5 May, Brussels – Karl Falkenberg, the Director-General for European Commission DG Environment has called for a ban on landfilling in the EU, to provide security for investments in recycling and the circular economy.
Speaking at an early satellite event for Green Week (3-5 June), the Director-General noted that whilst separate collection of waste has helped the recycling market, much more remains to be done to boost resource efficiency and re-use in the EU.
In 2011, 37% of EU waste was still being landfilled, compared to 25% that was recycled, 15% composted and 23% burned, usually for energy recovery. A landfill ban would encourage growth in these latter three waste solutions.
In 2013, DG Environment held a public consultation on plastic wastes, with responses calling for greater collection and recycling rates, and a ban on landfilling. The Commission is expected to propose regulation this year, which will include a 70% target for plastic recycling by 2020.
Click here to see the results of the European Commission’s consultation on plastic waste.