Increasing circularity requires better recycling rates

Increasing circularity requires improving recycling rates. Recycling reduces the need for new fossil raw materials and decreases the amount of waste that is burned or landfilled. However, waste can be contaminated and pose safety risks to people and the environment.

This requirement is laid down in the European Waste Framework Directive and the Environmental Management Act, which include so-called End-of-Waste criteria. If a recycled product meets these criteria, it is granted the End-of-Waste status. This means that the recycled product is no longer considered waste and can be used as a product, in accordance with product legislation and regulations.

The current system for demonstrating that waste has been recycled into a safe product is, however, difficult to follow, and the requirements for the End-of-Waste status are not clear. Additionally, the End-of-Waste status is essentially self-declared.

This means it does not provide the legal certainty that recyclers, potential customers, and investors are seeking.

This lack of certainty results in delayed investments and customers demanding more assurance before committing to purchasing recycled products. Justifying safe use and demonstrating market demand is challenging. As a result, circular companies are discouraged from developing and scaling innovative solutions for a circular economy, which in turn delays the achievement of circularity goals.

Invest-NL and Green Chemistry New Economy (GCNE) aim to tackle these barriers and accelerate circular solutions at scale. In this context, a report has been prepared to identify improvement opportunities. Relevant regulations have been reviewed, and recyclers have been interviewed and consulted. The main findings are divided into two parts:

1) actionable advice for recyclers on how to navigate the current system;

2) specific suggestions for policymakers to improve the system.

The results are published in the report:End of Waste