About: recycling
Raw power
Vanadium, borate, bismuth, gallium – they may sound like planets from a science fiction movie, but in fact they are some of the most critical elements of the European Union’s economy.
Half of Europe not on track with waste recycling
Fourteen EU member states have to step up efforts to reach the target of recycling 50% of municipal waste in 2020 - an objective set by the framework directive in 2008. EURACTIV France’s media partner, the Journal de l’environnement, reports.
Plastic-to-fuel, only fuelling fantasy
In light of the challenges that countries are facing due to China’s new standards on plastic recyclables imports, some controversial disposal methods have been getting increased attention, despite the myriad of concerns surrounding them, write Claire Arkin and Janek Vahk.
Poland makes headway on new EU recycling targets
The European Union must become a global leader in promoting circular economy but needs to make the best of the ambitious new EU legislation, said participants at a stakeholders’ debate on recycling, pointing to the positive example of Poland.
Bottle and can deposit return scheme gets green light in England
All drinks containers in England, whether plastic, glass or metal, will be covered by a deposit return scheme, the UK government has announced. EURACTIV's partner The Guardian reports.
EU circular economy’s REACH for the stars
As the EU doubles down on its waste management efforts and sets its sights on tackling plastic waste, the idea of a circular economy and internal market for recycling is gathering momentum. But it will not be an easy task for lawmakers or industry to realise.
Single-use plastics in the Commission’s crosshairs
The European Commission is aiming to reveal its plan to curb single-use plastics in May, in what will be the first proposal to come out of its much-vaunted Plastics Strategy. But industry and civil society are still divided over what should be its fundamental goal.
France to implement a new environmental tax?
The Amorce association, an association of local authorities and businesses in the fields of waste, energy and heating networks, revealed the tax measures which will be included in the French national roadmap on circular economy (FREC).
Why the EU’s renewable energy proposal subverts the circular economy
To date, the Renewable Energy Directive has been a key obstacle to achieving waste policy objectives. If the EU is serious about the transition towards a circular economy, it is crucial that incentive schemes for renewables encourage separate collection and recycling, writes Janek Vahk.
Chinese waste ban ‘wake-up call’ for European recycling
The EU has a trash problem. It used to ship 60% of plastics and 13% of paper collected for recycling to China, but Beijing has decided to curb its appetite for foreign waste.
Europe must look beyond the Circular Economy Package
The EU’s Circular Economy Package is delivering some important progress on supporting business resource efficiency. But the circular economy will need to remain top of the agenda for many years to come if the EU is to see a step change in resource productivity, argues Nick Molho.
Lithuania plans to burn more waste – but does it have enough?
Lithuania plans to build more waste incineration plants, which the government says could lead to reducing energy bills – but politicians and NGOs worry that it would jeopardise recycling targets as not enough waste is being produced.
China is no longer the EU’s plastic dumping ground: What’s next?
What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? With EU production of plastic waste showing no sign of slowing down and China – the world’s biggest importer of plastic waste – set to ban imports, we’re about to find out, argues Meadhbh Bolger.
Squaring the circle of plastics recycling
The snail pace so far in terms of implementation of the EU Action Plan on the Circular Economy is embarrassing, write Anders Wijkman and Catia Bastioli.
Report: British consumers mistakenly claim they recycle every day
Today, on International Recycling Day (17 May), a new report found that consumers are confused about recycling and recommends raising awareness of the practice.
Southerners back stricter EU waste rules, unlike Nordic countries
A new report published today (16 May) showed that the EU's southern members support stricter EU-wide waste management rules more than Nordic countries.
Greek startup turns to e-solutions to address low recycling rates
A Greek startup company is exploring innovative ways of rewarding consumers who recycle, a move that could help address the lack of recycling culture in Greece.
Member states need to agree on a strong Circular Economy Package
Following the European Parliament’s adoption of the proposed amendments on 14 March, the negotiations on the EU Circular Economy Package have now entered their final phase. NABU urges Europe to set strong targets, not watered-down goals.
French presidential candidates’ environmentalism often misses the point
Never before have so many presidential candidates taken such trouble to trumpet their environmental credentials. But this does not necessarily mean they know what environmentalism is all about. EURACTIV’s partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.
Recyclables must be collected separately for circular economy to succeed, says panel
Separate collection of recyclable materials is the key to a successful circular economy, but some member states struggle to put the necessary infrastructure in place, policymakers told a EURACTIV event held on Tuesday (21 March).
Better resource efficiency could be worth trillions, UN says
Almost €2 trillion would be poured into the annual global economy if resource efficiency was boosted, according to a report from the United Nations Environment Programme released today (16 March).
Cleaning up the oceans is no solution to our plastic problem
Plastics have brought huge benefits to our society. But with those benefits come environmental problems. Too often, plastic ends up as waste, as marine litter polluting the oceans, or as litter on our beaches.
Wales continues to lead UK in recycling, announces circular economy fund
The Welsh government has unveiled a £6.5m (€7.5m) fund to help SMEs make the transformation towards a circular economy. The Principality leads the UK in recycling targets and would place 4th in the EU if it were a member state. EURACTIV’s partner edie.net reports.