The new European Commission circular economy package will focus on product design because that will lead to better outcomes, according to a senior EU official.
Speaking at this week’s invite-only Resource Efficient Business Summit 2015 in Liverpool, European Commission deputy head of Unit A1 Eco-innovation and Circular Economy Karolina D’Cunha said that studies into the circular economy showed that it made sense and that better product design for circular use will enable Europe to make better use of resources.
She added: “We need action on product design, distribution and consumption. We also need to address policy makers and then waste management.
“If we overlook this moment, we have a problem later on.”
In her speech, she said that consumers are interested in new consumption models such as renting and leasing rather than buying. These models have the advantage that they drive the resource back to the manufacturer.
When it came to the waste sector, she said that there is a lack of desire to finance non-traditional business models, and so the European Union wants to help boost investment by supporting circular business models. It has developed a finance tool, which will leverage private investment.
She also confirmed that the proposal for the new circular economy package is likely to be published in December once the current consultation comes to an end in August.
The Resource Efficient Business Summit 2015 was supported by Mark Lyndon Paper Enterprises, Prodware, with additional support from Presona and Anthesis LRS.
