Stakeholders highlighted the key role that biowaste will have in the emerging circular economy and called upon EU decision-makers to support the proper management of biowaste as it will contribute to a more sustainable and resource-efficient Europe.
“Proper management of biowaste should be at the core of EU strategies”
Enzo Favoino, Chair of Scientific Committee, Zero Waste Europe
Miriam Dalli MEP and other European Parliamentarians involved with the European Parliament dossier on the circular economy gathered on June 24 to discuss the Role of Biowaste in the Emerging Circular Economy, which is a valuable resource for growth and job creation in Europe.
“Sustainable management of biowaste plays a key role in implementing the circular economy and in achieving a resource-efficient Europe,” said John van Haeff, Chair of European Compost Network. Further, biowaste has an enormous resource potential contributing to healthier soils and renewable energy while creating jobs.
The meeting presented best practices including the benefits of collecting food waste and the importance of implementing separate collection schemes as well as moving away from large scale landfills. It was also highlighted that Member States have diverging policies and varying levels of implementation calling for better enforcement.
Representatives from the European Commission highlighted that “the value of biowaste as a resource is recognised and improvements must be made towards creating a market for secondary materials in Europe.” Sofie Bouteligier of the Public Waste Agency of Flanders further emphasised “the need for a coherent European framework,” as this would align relevant policies and ensure better management of biowaste.
It was stressed that all stakeholders should participate in the ongoing public consultation on the circular economy launched by the European Commission in May to ensure that all views are considered. It was further called upon the Commission to keep all stakeholders involved throughout the process and implementation of the circular economy framework.
Miriam Dalli, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Circular Economy Working Group of the EP Intergroup on “Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development” chaired this event, which was held at the European Economic and Social Committee.
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Organisation of this meeting was kindly supported by the European Compost Network.
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Useful Documents:
ECN Background paper on Circular Economy
ECN Position Chart on Circular Economy
Position of Austria on Biowaste