New rules will make EU the global front-runner in waste management and recycling
EU Member States approved a set of ambitious measures to make EU waste legislation fit for the future, as part of the EU's wider circular economy policy.
The new rules adopted represent the most modern waste legislation in the world, where the EU is leading by example for others to follow.
The details of the new waste rules:
Recycling targets for municipal waste:
|
By 2025 |
By 2030 |
By 2035 |
|
55% |
60% |
65% |
In addition, stricter rules for calculating recycling rates will help to better monitor real progress towards the circular economy.
New recycling targets for packaging waste:
|
|
By 2025 |
By 2030 |
|
All packaging |
65% |
70% |
|
Plastic |
50% |
55% |
|
Wood |
25% |
30% |
|
Ferrous metals |
70% |
80% |
|
Aluminium |
50% |
60% |
|
Glass |
70% |
75% |
|
Paper and cardboard |
75% |
85% |
Separate collection
Building on the existing separate collection obligation for paper and cardboard, glass, metals and plastic, new separate collection rules will boost the quality of secondary raw materials and their uptake: hazardous household waste will have to be collected separately by 2022, bio-waste by 2023 and textiles by 2025.
Phasing out landfilling
Landfilling of waste makes no sense in a circular economy and can pollute water, soil and air. By 2035 the amount of municipal waste landfilled must be reduced to 10% or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated.
Incentives
The new legislation foresees more use of effective economic instruments and other measures in support of the waste hierarchy. Producers are given an important role in this transition by making them responsible for their products when they become waste. New requirements for extended producer responsibility schemes will lead to improving their performance and governance. In addition, mandatory extended producer responsibility schemes have to be established for all packaging by 2024.
Prevention
The new legislation will place a particular focus on waste prevention and introduce important objectives for food waste in the EU and halting marine litter to help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals in these areas.
Next steps
The new rules will enter into force 20 days following publication in the Official Journal.
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