Response to the consultation | End-of-Waste criteria for plastics: Establishing an EU-wide framework

Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the implementing regulation establishing EU-wide End-of-Waste (EoW) criteria for plastic waste.  

The introduction of an EU-wide EoW framework for plastics is a positive and necessary step towards the development of a market for plastic recyclates in the EU. Currently, the low cost of primary fossil-based plastics and the variable quality of recyclates hinder such a development. Establishing EU-wide criteria can help address the situation. However, for the proposal to deliver meaningfully, it needs to be reinforced with stronger measures on chemicals, while supporting a broader vision for the circular economy that goes beyond recycling alone. Only by aligning waste, product, and chemicals legislation can Europe manage its resources strategically, close the loop, and ensure it remains closed and safe.

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