A revised Waste Framework Directive to boost circular design, durability and recyclability of all products

In our position paper on a revised EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD), Ecopreneur.eu supports the European Commission’s initiative to substantially reduce the ever growing waste of resources in Europe.

While we understand the prioritisation of textiles and food waste, the ultimate goal must be a EU regulatory framework for any type of waste, in full alignment with the “polluter pays” principle and the EU waste hierarchy, to reduce the use of primary resources and stop them from being wasted at industrial scale. This should include chemicals, construction material, oils, furniture, mattresses, carpets, among other products.

From this perspective, a revised WFD must be fully in line with the objectives of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), incentivising the durability, reusability and recyclability of all products. To establish an EU single market for secondary materials and promote circular business models based on repair and refurbishment, reuse, sharing and high-quality recycling, a timely implementation of harmonised EU legislation is crucial. So is the implementation of mandatory targets for waste prevention, collection, reuse and recycling.

Read our full position paper HERE.