The Early Warning Report (EWR) published on 8 June highlights the pressing need for stronger efforts to meet the recycling objectives and underscores the crucial role of the waste management industry in achieving a sustainable circular economy.
According to the EWR, only nine out of the 27 EU member states are projected to meet the targets of preparing for reuse and recycling 55% of municipal waste and recycling 65% of all packaging waste by 2025, raising concerns that the objective of recycling 60% of municipal waste by 2030 may be at risk, particularly in the challenging area of plastic packaging recycling.
As the report highlights that there is still progress needed, FEAD agrees that high capture rates and the quality of separate collection are essential preconditions for preparing for re-use and recycling. The waste management industry is ready to cooperate with national and local authorities and make all necessary investments to enhance recycling rates, but a robust legislative framework that creates a stable market for recycled materials is essential.
The publication also provides a preliminary assessment on the target of reducing landfilling of municipal waste to below 10% by 2035. With eight countries exceeding 50% rates, FEAD stresses the urgency to deploy all available municipal waste treatment technologies with the needed capacities. Achieving the targets of the EU waste legislation requires the support of European institutions and Member State authorities, which must give priority to sorting, recycling, and energy recovery plants.
