(18 June 2015) – In a resolution adopted yesterday by a broad cross-party majority, MEPs called on the Commission to adopt an ambitious proposal on the circular economy by the end of the year.
The environment committee calls on the Commission to table a new proposal with the following points by the end of 2015:
- waste prevention measures;
- binding waste-reduction targets for municipal, commercial and industrial waste to be achieved by 2025;
- application of the “pay as you throw” principle;
- targets for recycling and preparation for reuse to be raised to at least 70% of municipal solid waste and 80% of packaging waste by 2030;
- incineration to be strictly limited by 2020 to non-recyclable and non-biodegradable waste;
- a binding, gradual reduction of all landfill waste.
The MEPs call on the Commission to promote a life-cycle oriented approach towards product policy and ecodesign, with an ambitious work programme. They want a review of eco-design legislation by the end of 2016, broadening its scope and covering all product groups. They demand definitions of the requirements for criteria such as durability, repairability, reusability and recyclability.
They also want the Commission to draw up measures to eliminate planned obsolescence.