EUROFER’s director-general Axel Eggert has welcomed the European Commission’s Circular Economy Package, claiming that he has analysed its content and is ‘broadly pleased’ with the proposals as they stand.
According to Eggert, steel is 100% recyclable and, therefore, key to the functioning of the circular economy. He said it was important that the Circular Economy Package supported the use and recycling of steel and its by-products, but argued that some elements could be improved upon.
The aim of the European Commission’s Circular Economy Package is to help European businesses and consumers make the transition to a stronger and more circular economy where resources are used in a more sustainable way.
The EC claims that the proposed actions will contribute to "closing the loop" of product lifecycles through greater recycling and re-use, and bring benefits for the environment and the economy.
“The plans will extract the maximum value and use from all raw materials, products and waste, fostering energy savings and reducing GHG emissions,” claims the EC.
The proposals cover the full lifecycle from production and consumption to waste management and the market for secondary raw materials and will be supported financially by ESIF funding, €650 million from Horizon 2020 (the EU’s funding programme for research and innovation), €5.5 billion from structural funds for waste management, and investments in the circular economy at national level.
