Circular Economy: Actions, Motivation & Benefits

Actions needed on objectives

• Proposed are actions regarding achieving objectives like less waste, greater value
• Actions for citizen centered functional circularity for regions and cities are also required
• Also need leadership efforts at the global level like waste transfer

Motivation

• The new action plan for circular economy (CEAP 2.0) aligns with climate goals
• Climate goals were agreed to in the Green and Paris Agreements
• The 2015 plan focused on product recyclability
• CEAP 2.0 focuses on preventative actions
• Preventative actions involve waste prevention and management
• The Dutch government set a benchmark to reduce resource use by 50% by 2030; this could inspire the EU

Circular Economy Beneifts

• It will drastically cut EU CO2 emissions, boost economic growth, and create job opportunities
• CEAP 2.0 could create 700,000 jobs across the EU
• It is projected that the AEγχΠ of the EU could increase by 0.5% by 2030
• Further digitalization of society can be supported
• An economy of full leasing can be upgraded
• A product-as-a-service (PaaS) model is an essential business model of the action plan

Product as Service (PaaS)

• An alternative to the "buy and own" model is available
• PaaS includes financial leasing, rental, or pay-per-use agreements
• Customers can buy a service or a desired result, not a physical product

Sustainable Product Approach

• Production of used materials accounts for about 45% of CO2 emissions
• A holistic approach is needed to drastically transform the economy
• Policy procedures should be based on proper and scientifically sound evaluations
• Circularity and sustainability principles must be ensured
• The Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0 (CEAP 2.0) should be successful
• Innovation is critical, and the circular model relies on new digital technologies

CEAP 2.0 Goals

• Shift competition down (downgrading recycling)
• Shift to competition up (upgrade recycling)
• Need to find and invest in new technologies
• Ensure the quality of a recycled product is the same as that of a product made from virgin material
• Fully supports the Commission's goal of emphasizing the environmental footprint of products
• Environmental impacts are 80% determined in planning stage
• Report focused on efficient use of resources by product category, and introduction of circular content targets

Calculating Recycled Content

• Performance and safety must be ensured
• Based on reliable calculation methods
• Consumers and producers need up-to-date and accurate sustainability information
• Supported are the initiatives of the committee for the provision of digital product passports
• Environmental impact assessments must also consider spare parts
• Environmental impact assessments should also consider semi-finished products, recyclability, and life cycle impacts

Strengthening Consumers

• Only 14% of the EU's GDP is from public authorities' purchasing power
• Establish mandatory minimum criteria and targets for green public procurement
• Committee and member states could play the role of "original customer"
• Support a consumer “right to repair"

Circularity in the Production Process

• The industrial strategy of the EU should focus on circular production
• A move to a competitive and climate-neutral industrial base is essential
• Sustainably sourced materials support bioeconomy development

Achieving Circular Production

• Dependent on the development of new technologies
• The Committee and member states should focus on the support of enhanced recycling and digital technologies
• Not only final products should attract investments, but also semi-finished products which are also significant

Key Product Value Chains

• The Committee’s proposal for selecting seven key value chains within CEAP 2.0 is supported:
  • Electronics and ICT
  • Batteries and Vehicles
  • Packaging
  • Plastics
  • Textiles
  • Construction and Buildings
  • Food
  • Water
  • Nutrients
• These sectors have enormous potential for the development of a circular economy SMEs and manufacturers are boosting the transformation, but face administrative or legislative obstacles
• The ongoing pandemic has significantly affected these sectors CEAP 2.0 will provide the way for a resilient recovery and a new period of economic prosperity

Electronic IT

• CEAP 2.0 proposes an initiative for the circular management of electronic products
• Greater product life through reuse, repair, upgrade prospects promoted
• Proper recycling infrastructure will develop a circular ICT industry

Batteries and Vehicles

• The paper expects Committee proposals regarding the batteries directive and alternative fuels infrastructure directive
• Expected regarding aspects of ecological design, improved collection, reuse and recycling, recovery of materials, consumer information
• The paper expects reporting on life cycle impacts and sustainable supply of raw materials

Textiles

• A new EU strategy on textile products is crucial to address environmental and social impacts
• The Committee should propose targeted measures within the framework of sustainable product policy
  • To address the presence of microplastics in fabrics
  • Since numbers range 1-35% of marine litter
  • Implement harmonized measurement and prevention systems to control the release of microfibers

Plastics

• Plastics are important as contributors to the presence of primary microplastics in the environment
• The degradation of discarded macroplastics introduces secondary microplastics into the marine environment

Packaging

• Packaging is an essential prerequisite for the safety and hygiene of products and food
• Must shift policy focus towards reuse
• Packaging must be minimal while ensuring product quality and safety
• Call for commitment to reducing all packaging by 50% by 2030
• Take into account the likelihood of using sustainable and renewable or recycled materials to replace plastics

Construction and Buildings

• Two simultaneous challenges are faced:
  • Rapid urbanization
  • Population growth will increase buildings
  • Current buildings require renovation for energy efficiency
• Give preference to the renovation wave which requires legislative proposals
• Aim to review major waste flows given economic practicability and affordability

Food, Water, Nutrients

• The report will assist legislative initiatives to encourage reuse of wastewater in farming processes
• This can combat water scarcity
• Examining closing loop of cultivation is crucial

Less Waste More Value

• Europe is faced with tough deadlines for achieving a 65% recycling target and a max 10% landfill rate by 2035
• Set waste prevention targets and move away from landfill
• Provided that sustainable alternatives exist for waste management

Functional Circularity

• Circular economy cannot flourish top-down
• Local communities and regional authorities must lead in CEAP 2.0 implementation
• Must promote an exchange of best practices concerning waste collection and sorting facilities

Global Efforts

• Recent amendments to the Basel Convention for trade in plastics were be implemented
• Supports the Commission's ambition to revise the waste transfer regulation
• Need examine limiting waste transfers
• Look into economic incentives to curb exports, and ensure the flow of recycled materials

The New Action Plan for Greece

• Circular economy prerequisite for sustainable development

Pillars of the National Strategy of Circular Economy

• Sustainable Resources Management,
• Enhancing Circular Entrepreneurship
• Circular Consumption
• Education

Main Objectives

• Integration of ecological design and product life cycle analysis
• Effective application of the waste management hierarchy, the promotion of creation prevention

The core long-term objectives

• Design for reuse
• Transparent information for goods and services
• Information exchanges
• Promotion for the information of citizens
• Processing transparent

Key actions set for completion

• Completion of the legislative framework for waste management
• Elaboration-National Plan to promote the Green Public Procurement
• Processing of proposals for the reduction food wastage

Shortfalls

• The effort for circular economy did not progress as envisioned for 2018-2019
• Greek indicators low compared to the EU

Key initiatives for the promotion

• The new legislative framework for waste
• Revision of the National Waste Management Plan and its relation with the National program
• New legislative framework for single use plastics
• Approval of plan of “green” public
• Beginning project LIFE-IP CEI-Greece
• Establishment of national measures

Basic Characteristics

• Revises the National Action
• Harmonizes with the objectives and engagements
• Compatible with newer European laws
• Takes under consideration new legislative evolution

Road Map

• Covers main values
• With time development in Symbatithis
• With determination of implement

Road map actions

• Action for Basi πτιχοι οκονομίας: production, consumption, αποβλητα
• Action for of products
• Is a challenge for is there current
• With a appropriate with are basic for are all of
• The will have ροςστη,

Key Takeaways

• The document includes further action items within the scope of the circular economy in Greece
• The need for new laws, goals, resource management, value judgements ect..
• The aim is to improve industry and public trust in these values

Exploring actions for achieving objectives like reducing waste and increasing value through circularity. CEAP 2.0 aligns with climate goals from the Green and Paris Agreements, focusing on waste prevention and management. It aims to cut EU CO2 emissions, boost economic growth, and create jobs.