Action Plan for the Circular Economy in the European Union

Abstract

The circular economy concept focuses on the prevention, reduction, reuse, recovery and recycling of materials and energy. Its aim is to replace the "end-of-life" concept with new possibilities for reuse, restoration and renewal. The circular economy is a strategic concept to promote the decoupling of economic growth from increased resource consumption.

This new plan aims to apply various measures throughout the entire life cycle of products, reinforcing the commitment to sustainable solutions, ensuring competitiveness, while maintaining environmental protection and also granting new rights to consumers. The European Commission has already identified that global consumption of raw materials such as biomass, fossil fuels, metals and minerals is expected to double over the next forty years, with annual waste production expected to increase by 70% by 2050.