New developments of the EU circular economy policy and their impact on EU waste law

Abstract

The concepts of ‘green economy’ and ‘sustain¬able consumption and production’ determine the direction of political and legal changes as the goals of the 2030 Agenda followed also by the European Union and its Member States.‘Circular economy’ as an element of those con¬cepts includes waste management and is a vital element of EU environmental policy. Turning waste into resources presents a multidimensional challenge. In the years 2015–2018, the European Commission conducted works on the changes in the community law on waste which will enable the enforcement of ‘circular economy’ goals. In May 2018, four directives which will significantly remodel the obligations of Member States in the scope of waste management were enacted. Also in 2018, the Commission announced new proposals, as well as law changes, emphasizing the problem of plastic waste.