Circular Economy & Reuse

On 11th March, the EU Commission published its much-anticipated Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP). Prevention, reuse and repair will be critical for the plan’s target to halve residual waste generation by 2030, and reach future prevention targets and Green Public Procurement (GPP) sectoral targets. An improvement in the quality and reuse potential of common household goods is expected with the sustainable product policy legislative initiative which requires better design of products including new focus areas textiles and furniture. A boost for the repair sector will come with “right to repair” measures such as information on repairability, repair manuals and access to spare parts. Reuse and repair operators should also be supported by measures to back new business models and markets – including mandatory green public procurement (GPP) criteria. Finally and importantly the plan recognises and supports the role of social enterprises as pioneers in the Circular Economy.

For more information about the plan, and opportunities it presents for Ireland, watch ‘The EC’s Circular Economy Action Plan – Moving Forward’ webinar hosted by the Rediscovery Centre and the EPA here.

For the European RREUSE network’s reaction to the plan see here.

• May 11, 2020