Communication COM/2020/98 final
The updated EU Circular Economy Action Plan, adopted in 2020 as part of the European Green Deal, sets out a comprehensive strategy to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. It aims to make sustainable products the norm, reduce waste generation, and strengthen EU competitiveness while protecting the environment.
The plan targets sectors with high resource use and waste generation, including electronics (WEEE), textiles, construction, and food. It introduces legislative and non-legislative measures to promote eco-design, reuse, repair, and recycling, ensuring products are durable, repairable, and recyclable. Consumer empowerment initiatives, green public procurement, and a monitoring framework are also included to track progress and drive systemic change.
Food systems are a major focus, with actions to reduce food waste and improve bio-waste management. The plan promotes separate collection of bio-waste, supports composting and anaerobic digestion, and encourages the use of biobased products. These measures aim to close material loops, enhance resource efficiency, and contribute to climate neutrality, making this plan a cornerstone of EU circular economy policy.
Relevance to bio-waste and/or circular bioeconomy:
The plan emphasizes food waste reduction and bio-waste valorisation through separate collection, composting, and anaerobic digestion. It promotes nutrient recovery and biobased products, integrating organic waste into circular systems. These measures strengthen resource efficiency and waste prevention, supporting EU climate goals and sustainable agriculture within the broader circular economy framework.
EU
Full title: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. A new Circular Economy Action Plan for a cleaner and more competitive Europe
Publication date: 2020
Instrument type: Communication
Binding for EU MS: No
Keywords: circular economy, resource efficiency, waste prevention, bio-waste, composting, anaerobic digestion, food waste, reuse, recycling, eco-design