.The European Parliament had launched an action plan towards the circular economy for a more sustainable world as early as 27 January 2020. Finally, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy has approved this document. which has been so badly suffered by all the Member States.
Binding targets for the use and consumption of materials to be reached strictly by 2030.
The Circular Economy Action Plan: what it provides for The European Parliament
The long journey towards a more sustainable world has taken off on Wednesday 27 January. Finally, the Environment Commission of the European Parliament approved the Action Plan for the circular economy
The objective of the Circular Economy Action Plan is to establish sustainable principles that need to be implemented in particular aspects of the production chain to improve product durability and repairability, increase recycled content in products, and reduce the carbon footprint emitted into the atmosphere.
The European Parliament and the circular economy action plan
The most involved value chains: electronics, batteries and vehicles, packaging, plastic, textiles, construction and food. Circular Economy Action Plan pays close attention to the value chains that have the greatest impact on the environment and on which action is needed as a matter of urgency.
Electronics
Waste from the electronics and ICT sector is not only constantly increasing, but recycling is also very low. In this context, the Commission will present a ‘circular electronic initiative’ which will not only lay down new rules for the design and manufacture of electronic equipment but will also limit the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Batteries and vehicles
The mobility sector will undergo major and sudden changes in the coming months. Only a few weeks ago the European Commission approved a funding of 2.9 billion euros, in order to support research and innovation in the battery sector.
As for the automotive sector, the commitment to introduce the use of alternative and sustainable fuels in transport and to strengthen the sector’s transition to a circular economy is underlined.
Packaging e waste
Given the record amount of packaging recorded in 2019, it proposes to establish clear and easy-to-implement rules for citizens and entrepreneurs to ensure that by 2030 all packaging on the European market is reusable or recyclable.
“The European Parliament and the circular economy action plan”
Plastic
Considering the estimates reported by some studies, plastic consumption will double over the next 20 years. In order to stem this phenomenon, global initiatives will continue to be promoted. To adopt tools aimed at capturing microplastics at all stages of the product life cycle or at measuring microplastics released intentionally.
Textiles
It is estimated that textile production is responsible for about 20% of the global pollution of drinking water and that washing synthetic garments releases 0.5 million tons of microfibers into the seas every year. To combat fastfashion and promote sustainable business models, there will be new eco-friendly design measures for textile products.
Construction and construction
The construction sector is responsible for more than 35% of the waste produced by the European Union. Commission for this sector will promote the principle of circularity with regard to the life cycle of buildings by setting up digital registers for buildings and promoting the use of a system that can measure and assess sustainability in buildings.
“The European Parliament and the circular economy action plan”
Food, water and nutrients
The Commission, considering the estimates of the waste of food and natural resources within the European Union, will propose actions that go not only to reduce these data but also to support the From Farm to Fork strategy, a measure with which the Union European Union aims to create a sustainable system within the agri-food chain by 2030.
Goals:
- A reduction of at least 20% in the use of fertilizers.
- The 50% reduction in sales of antimicrobials for farm animals.
- The allocation of at least 25% of the agricultural area for organic farming.
- A 50% reduction in the use of chemical pesticides.
