The EEA’s ‘Circularity Metrics Lab’, which uses a range of sources to provide insights on progress towards circular economy, has published two new briefings.
The EEA briefing ‘Europe’s circular economy in facts and figures’ provides a state of play on Europe’s progress from linear production and consumption towards circularity where the value of products and materials are kept in the economy much longer. The document outlines that although EU businesses and consumers recognise the value of circularity, material flows are still predominantly linear. Resource productivity in Europe is more than 2.5 times higher than the world average and almost half of all waste generated in Europe gets recycled.
In addition the EEA briefing ‘Measuring the quality of recycling’ looks at how to increase recycling volumes and improve recycling quality by optimising material loops. Specifically, measures to increase recycling quality include avoiding mixed collection systems, investing in effective sorting technologies and directing recyclables into new products that also have a high recycling potential.
Along with the two briefings, the EEA also published country profiles, offering a view of circular economy policies being implemented at a national level with a particular focus on elements that go beyond EU mandatory elements; and best practices with a focus on policy innovation.
Access the briefings here…
