This week in the European Parliament, MEPs are voting on plans to boost recycling rates in the European Union.

The European Commission’s proposal is that by 2030 65% of household waste across the EU would be recycled or reused. Currently Germany is the only EU country meeting this target.[1]

This is particularly pertinent to Britain given that for the first time ever recycling rates dropped in England from 44.8% in 2014 to 43.9% in 2015. Although Wales and Scotland are ahead with their recycling rates (particularly Wales, where 61% of household waste is recycled), due to England’s size it accounts for so much of the waste that the UK as a whole is almost guaranteed to miss the EU target of recycling at least 50% of its household waste by 2020.

Speaking ahead of the debate in Strasbourg Jean emphasised the need for concrete preventative action to help increase recycling rates “In my constituency of London we have massive variation in terms of recycling and reusing, from 17.10% in Lewisham, to 54% in Bexley.[2] We need to close this gap and lift recycling rates across London, going backwards should not be an option.

Austerity measures brought in by this government have hit local councils hard so that the improvement to infrastructure and more importantly the ability to communicate with householders about the value and benefits of recycling have not been possible. The massive budget cut to WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme)– the government’s main body tasked with cutting waste and driving up recycling – from £37.7m in 2011 to £17.9m in 2014, has also had a negative impact.”

The Greens in the European Parliament are calling for binding reduction targets for food waste and marine litter, improved collection of waste materials, stronger recycling targets and an end to incineration of recyclable or compostable waste.

“Taken together, these measures can both help the EU meet its climate commitments and boost national economies and employment. Given the current British Government pledged they would be the first to leave the environment in a better state than they found it[3], I call on it to take the very urgent and necessary steps to do just that so that my constituents and the country as a whole can leave a better city, country and planet for future generations.”

ENDS

[1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170306STO65256/waste-management-meps-to-vote-on-plans-to-boost-recycling-rates

[2] http://laportal.wrap.org.uk/LWARBKeyData.aspx

[3] http://www.fwi.co.uk/news/farmers-must-do-more-for-environment-says-defra-secretary.htm

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UK Green MEPs – Jean Lambert, Molly Scott Cato, Keith Taylor press for ambitious proposals to reduce resource use and create green jobs in a circular economy

Building a circular economy for the European Union is both necessary and overdue. A circular economy will re-align economic activity with environmental limits. In particular, economic activity must no longer be linked to resource consumption. For these reasons, the UK’s 3 Green MEPs have submitted a response to the European Commission’s Public Consultation on the Circular Economy. The consultation closes today but you can read the main section of the MEPs submission here

 
Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London said:

‘The EU’s circular economy plans could create millions of jobs and cut costs for business whilst reducing waste and pollution. We are used to hearing about cuts and efficiency savings, but for once these are the right cuts and the right efficiency savings. These EU plans could mean less waste and more re-use. We could see products being designed to work better, last longer and be easier to repair, and an end to the use of toxic materials. It’s called a circular economy because we are talking about turning yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s valuable resources.

 
‘But for this to work, the EU plans must include binding targets to reduce commercial, industrial and food waste, and to recycle more, especially packaging. Crucially, we also need to measure and increase resource efficiency. Along with fellow Green MEPs I am responding to the Commission consultation to press for an ambitious proposal which will reduce our use of resources and create the green jobs and skills we urgently need.’

This fundamental shift in economic thinking and policy is essential for the long-term prosperity and success of the EU. The Commission needs to make sure that the beneficial potential of the circular economy model is fully realised. This is necessary so that the EU economy becomes resource-efficient, environmentally sustainable, and delivers the huge potential for green jobs and skills.
Moving to a circular economy will only be achievable with far-reaching legislation and legally binding targets. This should include specific waste reduction and resource efficiency targets, and an explicit commitment to becoming a zero waste EU.

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