A joint letter from UK trade organisations has urged greater focus on demand-side measures in the EU circular economy package.
According to recent leaks, the package is likely to contain stronger drivers to push waste out of landfill and up the waste hierarchy.
This would include higher recycling and landfill diversion targets.
But the trade bodies, including ADBA, CIWM, ESA, Institute of Civil Engineers, REA and the Resource Association, want measures to stimulate stronger and more stable market demand for recycled materials.
The letter, sent to European Commission First Vice-President Frans Timmermans (pictured), Vice-President Jyrki Katainen, and Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella, said: “Supply side actions have served us well in many respects to date, but they will be insufficient for the challenges ahead. We all share the ambition for a more circular economy, but we do not see the delivery of a circular economy coming purely from the operation of the market.”
The letter acknowledges that the European Commission is looking for lighter touch regulation, but said this agenda should be seen as “an exception to the Commission’s general rule, because to deliver the strong environmental and economic benefits of a circular economy requires a long term regulatory framework and market interventions that will stabilise and enhance the viability of increasing recycling.”
