The European Parliament has approved its Environment Committee’s (ENVI) waste legislative proposals created as part of the Parliamentary response to the EU’s Circular Economy Package.
As a consequence of the proposals being taken on by the European Parliament, it has created a link between bioeconomy and circular economy, encouraging member states to support the use of bio-based materials for the manufacture of packaging. The suggested definition of recycling, which includes organic recycling, and the provision of mandatory bio-waste collection are both big steps towards making waste a valuable feedstock for the bioeconomy.
These proposals will now be taken forward to trilogues between the European Parliament, European Commission and European Council, which will later this year decide the final legislative amendments from the Circular Economy Package.
Commenting on the European Parliament’s adoption of the proposals, François de Bie, Chairman of European Bioplastics said: “This vote is an important milestone in strengthening the link between the circular economy and the bioeconomy in Europe. Bio-based and recycled materials are starting to be equally recognised as a viable solution to make packaging more sustainable and reduce our dependency on finite fossil resources.
“This will provide an important boost to the secondary resource market within the EU. Bio-based mechanically or organically recyclable plastics support circular thinking by lowering carbon emissions, helping to reach recycling quotas and keep valuable secondary raw materials and renewable carbon in the loop.”