Communication on a European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy
ENVE-VI/029
Communication on a European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy
Analyse the new European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy ("Plastics Strategy").
Ensure that the importance of the role of local and regional authorities in the implementation of this strategy is taken into account.
Support prevention, more specifically through: limiting use, product design, recyclability, innovation and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Support the legislative proposal on single-use plastics.
Highlight the problem of microplastics and the need for further research.
Oppose solutions based on the current generation of biodegradable plastics.
Support improvement in waste collection, specifically separate collection and deposit system, suggesting a harmonised EU level approach for deposit systems.
Support bonuses for exceeding targets and expansion of financial responsibility of producers.
Incentivize the use of recycled content.
Support the use of Green Public Procurements.
Ensure that the importance of the role of local and regional authorities in the implementation of this strategy is taken into account.
Support prevention, more specifically through: limiting use, product design, recyclability, innovation and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Support the legislative proposal on single-use plastics.
Highlight the problem of microplastics and the need for further research.
Oppose solutions based on the current generation of biodegradable plastics.
Support improvement in waste collection, specifically separate collection and deposit system, suggesting a harmonised EU level approach for deposit systems.
Support bonuses for exceeding targets and expansion of financial responsibility of producers.
Incentivize the use of recycled content.
Support the use of Green Public Procurements.
The European Commission, in its follow-up letter to the opinion, agreed with the CoR opinion on the key role of local and regional authorities for the implementation of the Plastics Strategy
The Commission agreed that waste prevention is the top priority of the waste hierarchy. The CoR opinion argued that prevention starts with limiting the use of plastics and product design. The Commission recognized these two elements adding the promotion of innovation in business model in order to, for example, promote reuse.
The CoR proposed a ban on oxo-degradable plastics
The new directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/904) introduced a general ban of oxo-degradable plastics products.
The CoR proposed a ban on intentionally added microplastics (except for human health needs). The CoR also called for minimum requirements on the release of unintentional microplastics from products such as car tires and textiles, and on measures to reduce plastic pellet losses. It also requested further research.
The New Circular Economy Action Plan (NCEAP) included a committement to restrict intentionally added microplastics and to tackle pellets tacking into account the opinion of the European chemical Agency (ECHA). ECHA is evaluating a proposal in this direction (that includes some references to pellets). In February 2021 a supplementary opinion has been requested.
The NCEAP included further harmonization of measuring methods and further research on microplastics.
The European Commission is preparing a legislative proposal on microplastics expected for the 4th quarter of 2022
The CoR advocated fossil-free, innovative, sustainable and environment-friendly plastics. The CoR opinion advocated for better definitions and/or standards for the different forms of plastics biodegradability.
The reply of the Commission highlighted efforts in the field of plastic bags and a general intention of the strategy to work on this topic. The subsequent directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment did not included a distinction between biodegradable and non biodegradable plastics postponing the issue to a future evaluation and review.
The NCEAP proposed a Policy framework for bio-based plastics and biodegradable or compostable plastics (planned for 2021). In December 2020, the European Commission’s independent Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA) delivered a Scientific Opinion on the Biodegradability of Plastics in the Open Environment. The Commissioner for Environment stated that the conclusions of the opinion provided a sound basis for the policy framework proposed by the NCEAP.
The CoR opinion proposed further study into the need for harmonisation and possible limitation of additives used in plastics, in order to further ease and simplify the recycling of plastics and the application of recyclates. The Commission agreed on the need of a reflection on the use of additives. In its Communication on the interface between chemicals, products and waste legislation, the Commission proposed possible options to better trace chemicals and to tackle the problem of legacy substances in recycled streams.
The CoR requested strengthening the essential criteria for packaging.
The CoR opinion proposed harmonization or maximum coordination at EU level for deposit systems. The reply of the Commission replies that the Packaging and Packaging Waste directive allows Member States to establish the systems best suited to their local needs. While recognizing the achievements of return systems the Commission, also on the basis of a study on metal beverage cans, does not intend to propose EU wide deposit systems for beverage packing.
A review of the legislation on packaging waste is ongoing and a legislative proposal is expected in the 4th Quarter of 2021. The roadmap mentions also plastics.
The Commission agreed that waste prevention is the top priority of the waste hierarchy. The CoR opinion argued that prevention starts with limiting the use of plastics and product design. The Commission recognized these two elements adding the promotion of innovation in business model in order to, for example, promote reuse.
The CoR proposed a ban on oxo-degradable plastics
The new directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment (DIRECTIVE (EU) 2019/904) introduced a general ban of oxo-degradable plastics products.
The CoR proposed a ban on intentionally added microplastics (except for human health needs). The CoR also called for minimum requirements on the release of unintentional microplastics from products such as car tires and textiles, and on measures to reduce plastic pellet losses. It also requested further research.
The New Circular Economy Action Plan (NCEAP) included a committement to restrict intentionally added microplastics and to tackle pellets tacking into account the opinion of the European chemical Agency (ECHA). ECHA is evaluating a proposal in this direction (that includes some references to pellets). In February 2021 a supplementary opinion has been requested.
The NCEAP included further harmonization of measuring methods and further research on microplastics.
The European Commission is preparing a legislative proposal on microplastics expected for the 4th quarter of 2022
The CoR advocated fossil-free, innovative, sustainable and environment-friendly plastics. The CoR opinion advocated for better definitions and/or standards for the different forms of plastics biodegradability.
The reply of the Commission highlighted efforts in the field of plastic bags and a general intention of the strategy to work on this topic. The subsequent directive on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment did not included a distinction between biodegradable and non biodegradable plastics postponing the issue to a future evaluation and review.
The NCEAP proposed a Policy framework for bio-based plastics and biodegradable or compostable plastics (planned for 2021). In December 2020, the European Commission’s independent Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA) delivered a Scientific Opinion on the Biodegradability of Plastics in the Open Environment. The Commissioner for Environment stated that the conclusions of the opinion provided a sound basis for the policy framework proposed by the NCEAP.
The CoR opinion proposed further study into the need for harmonisation and possible limitation of additives used in plastics, in order to further ease and simplify the recycling of plastics and the application of recyclates. The Commission agreed on the need of a reflection on the use of additives. In its Communication on the interface between chemicals, products and waste legislation, the Commission proposed possible options to better trace chemicals and to tackle the problem of legacy substances in recycled streams.
The CoR requested strengthening the essential criteria for packaging.
The CoR opinion proposed harmonization or maximum coordination at EU level for deposit systems. The reply of the Commission replies that the Packaging and Packaging Waste directive allows Member States to establish the systems best suited to their local needs. While recognizing the achievements of return systems the Commission, also on the basis of a study on metal beverage cans, does not intend to propose EU wide deposit systems for beverage packing.
A review of the legislation on packaging waste is ongoing and a legislative proposal is expected in the 4th Quarter of 2021. The roadmap mentions also plastics.
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- welcomes the European Commission's Communication on a European Strategy for Plastics in a circular economy, and the challenges and key actions identified, and stresses that ambition is needed to make the transition towards a circular economy and to tackle the societal and environmental challenges;
- stresses the key role and interest of local and regional authorities;
- points out that prevention should be the first priority in line with the EU waste hierarchy, argues that prevention starts with limiting the use of plastics and through product design, advocates recyclability of all products by 2025, supports innovation to move away from fossil-based plastics and recalls the important role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in promoting eco-design arguing that EPR legislation therefore needs to include the responsibility for eco-design;
- supports the legislative proposal on single-use plastics;
- highlights the problem of microplastics advocating further research and calls for a ban on oxo-degradable plastics and intentionally added microplastics except for products necessary for health;
- recognizes that the current generation of biodegradable plastics are not an answer because of the limits to their biodegradability, stresses the need for better definitions and/or standards;
- advocates effective separate collection focused on plastics as a material rather than as a product, acknowledges the achievements of deposit systems and suggests an harmonised EU level approach;
- regarding target-setting proposes to examine the introduction of bonuses when targets are exceeded and the expansion of the financial responsibility of producers to the full cost of waste management of their products;
- believes in incentives for use of recycled content, removal of incentives for fossil fuels, financial responsibility of producers or importers for CO2 emissions reduction and a minimum of 50% recyclates in new plastics by 2025;
- stresses the potential of Green Public Procurements in plastic waste prevention.
- welcomes the European Commission's Communication on a European Strategy for Plastics in a circular economy, and the challenges and key actions identified, and stresses that ambition is needed to make the transition towards a circular economy and to tackle the societal and environmental challenges;
- stresses the key role and interest of local and regional authorities;
- points out that prevention should be the first priority in line with the EU waste hierarchy, argues that prevention starts with limiting the use of plastics and through product design, advocates recyclability of all products by 2025, supports innovation to move away from fossil-based plastics and recalls the important role of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in promoting eco-design arguing that EPR legislation therefore needs to include the responsibility for eco-design;
- supports the legislative proposal on single-use plastics;
- highlights the problem of microplastics advocating further research and calls for a ban on oxo-degradable plastics and intentionally added microplastics except for products necessary for health;
- recognizes that the current generation of biodegradable plastics are not an answer because of the limits to their biodegradability, stresses the need for better definitions and/or standards;
- advocates effective separate collection focused on plastics as a material rather than as a product, acknowledges the achievements of deposit systems and suggests an harmonised EU level approach;
- regarding target-setting proposes to examine the introduction of bonuses when targets are exceeded and the expansion of the financial responsibility of producers to the full cost of waste management of their products;
- believes in incentives for use of recycled content, removal of incentives for fossil fuels, financial responsibility of producers or importers for CO2 emissions reduction and a minimum of 50% recyclates in new plastics by 2025;
- stresses the potential of Green Public Procurements in plastic waste prevention.
