Increased use of virgin materials and low recycling levels show that a circular economy is far from being realised. The presence of chemicals of concern in materials is an important reason for this. Mechanical recycling will remain the main recycling technology for the foreseeable future, which makes establish ing nontoxic waste streams the key to scaling up the circular economy.
The Missing Piece – Chemicals in Circular Economy
This ChemSec publication highlights the piece that has been missing in the circular economy debate – hazardous chemicals. Designing and manufacturing products to be recycled is great, but without proper attention to chemicals, circular economy will never work.
Aim for Circular Economy Free from Hazardous Substances
The following companies and organisations represent a sample of stakeholders committed to circular economy. We urge the Commission to take their statements into consideration and to respect their needs.
Keep Circular Economy free from Hazardous Chemicals (April 2016)
Circular economy has recently attracted a lot of attention, and we can now see the first steps in this process taking shape. At ChemSec, we see great potential for the circular economy and chemicals regulations to reinforce each other and boost recycling in a sustainable way, with safe and long- lasting products. As the essence of the circular economy has to seep through a large number of legislative proposals and committee decisions, we believe it is important that ambition levels are kept high in all areas.
Circular Economy and the Waste Package
The first legislative process to be negotiated in the transition towards a circular economy is the waste package.