The new European action plan on circular economy

In March 2020, the European Commission unveiled its new action plan on circular economy. It includes more than 50 proposed actions, particularly in favor of product sustainability and waste reduction in priority sectors: plastics, textiles, electronics, batteries, construction, and food. Job creation and training in circular economy are also key measures of this plan. Analysis.

The action plan is a key element of the European Green Deal, the new sustainable growth program for Europe. Objective: achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 to make Europe the first "climate-neutral" continent.

Circular economy, a lever of competitiveness

Europe is betting on circular economy as a driver of growth and jobs with the ambition to increase GDP by 0.5% by 2030 through the creation of 700,000 new jobs. Among the proposed actions, the European Union intends to make sustainable products a standard.

To achieve this, the European Commission relies notably on the reusability and recycling of products. These measures aim to limit single-use items and to ban the destruction of unsold or unused durable goods.

In the new technology sector (ICT), the Commission will launch, among others, "circular economy initiatives for electronic equipment to have products that last longer and to improve the collection and treatment of waste."

Actors in the circular economy therefore have an essential role to play in meeting current societal and environmental challenges.

Download the European action plan on circular economy: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_20_420