A Made in Europe call, divisions over aluminium scrap exports, and a vote on chemical recycling rules for bottles took the spotlight last week. Read on for the latest Brussels updates the waste management sector needs to know right now.
Member States to vote on chemical recycling rules for bottles: On 6 February, Member States voted on the Commission’s implementing act defining how recycled plastic content in bottles is calculated.
FEAD co-signs ‘Made in Europe’ call for European preference: On 2 February, a joint opinion piece initiated by Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and co-signed by FEAD, called for a strong European preference to support domestic value chains and recycled content demand. The initiative has gathered nearly 1,200 signatories across industry and business associations.
Aluminium sector and recyclers split over proposed trade measures: On 30 January, the European aluminium industry submitted its position to the Commission’s public consultation, calling for a uniform 30% export duty on aluminium scrap to countries outside the EU. In its position paper, FEAD expressed deep concern that the initiative focuses on the financial affordability of scrap for aluminium producers rather than its availability, undermining recyclers and waste management operators.
EU report flags slow circularity: On 30 January, the Commission’s Annual Single Market and Competitiveness Report confirms that the share of recycled materials in the EU economy rose only from 11.8% in 2023 to 12.2% in 2024, far from the 24% target for 2030.
Mapping highlights state of plastic recycling technologies in Europe: On 3 February, Plastics Recyclers Europe published an overview of plastic recycling technologies used across the EU, covering mechanical, chemical and dissolution recycling for key waste streams, including packaging, electronics, vehicles and construction waste.
Cyprus Presidency sets out priorities to MEPs: On 29 January, the Cyprus Presidency debriefed parliamentary committees, with Minister Maria Panayiotou stressing water resilience, legislative simplification without lowering environmental ambition, and the need to accelerate the circular economy to reduce raw material dependency.
EIB frontloads €3 billion to support ETS2 investments: On 5 February, the European Investment Bank approved a €3 billion scheme to frontload future ETS2 revenues and help Member States finance investments in building and road transport decarbonisation before carbon allowance revenues begin, according to the EIB announcement.
Commission publishes ‘mixed’ mid-term review of zero pollution strategy: On 29 January, the Commission said in its mid-term review of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, building on European Environment Agency analysis, that progress is ‘encouraging, though mixed’.
JRC outlines tools to implement ban on destruction of unsold goods: On 26 January, the Joint Research Centre published a study to support implementation of Articles 24 and 25 of the Ecodesign Regulation, which introduce reporting obligations on unsold products and a ban on the destruction of certain goods, including textiles and electrical and electronic equipment.
ECB study finds limited trade impact from CBAM: A 28 January study by the European Central Bank found that, under its current scope, the carbon border adjustment mechanism would increase the cost of overall EU imports by just 0.1% on average.
January infringement packages: The Commission has published January infringement packages, including a referral to Romania for continued operation of non-compliant landfills, a reasoned opinion to Czechia for allowing untreated waste to be landfilled, and a letter of formal notice to Latvia for shortcomings in transposing the Waste Framework Directive, notably on waste recovery, hazardous waste, bio-waste, planning and extended producer responsibility.
Commission sets standards for voluntary carbon removal certification: On 3 February, the Commission adopted a delegated act setting quality criteria for certifying permanent carbon removal activities, according to the Commission announcement.
Parliamentary question on paper recycling and industrial capacity: On 27 January, MEP Anna Maria Cisint submitted a parliamentary question urging the Commission to address the EU’s growing dependence on third countries for paper recycling and production.
Parliament updated on end-of-life vehicles agreement: On 26 January, the rapporteur for the end-of-life vehicles file briefed the European Parliament committee on the outcome of the final trilogue following the provisional agreement reached on 11 December, according to the committee update.
ESWET warns against including incineration in ETS: On 2 February, the European suppliers of waste-to-energy technologies said a study by Prognos and the Ifeu Institute about methane emissions shows that including waste incineration in the EU carbon market while leaving landfills outside could divert residual waste back to landfill.
Zero Waste Europe urges binding bio-waste collection targets: On 3 February, Zero Waste Europe published policy recommendations calling for a binding EU target on bio-waste collection, warning that current obligations lack clarity.
