During a recent gathering of stakeholders, politicians, and recyclers in Brussels hosted by the European Recycling Industries’ Confederation, one of the primary topics of conversation was how Europe might become more circular with the proper regulations while assisting in attaining a carbon-neutral economy (EuRIC).
According to a news release from the confederation, the agenda for EuRIC’s annual conference, headlined “Boosting recycling via future-fit policies,” gave insights into several subjects, from design as a driver for recycling to boosting the circularity of crucial raw materials.
Delara Burkhardt, a member of the European Parliament, stated that textile waste should not be seen as a burden but rather as a resource.
Reusing clothes has a 70 times lower environmental effect than creating new clothing, according to EuRIC research on the life cycle evaluation of worn clothing in Europe, which was quoted by Mariska Boer, president of EuRIC Textiles.
Regarding packaging, Ioannis Antonopoulos of the European Commission emphasised the enormous improvement anticipated from the proposed legislation that would increase the sustainability of packaging products in contrast to a business-as-usual situation.
In his opening remarks, EuRIC Secretary General Emmanuel Katrakis stated that “we need more harmonised end-of-waste standards at EU level, recycled content for and beyond plastics, as well as design for recycling” to accelerate the transition towards a circular and climate-neutral economy.
