The first key points for a national circular economy strategy were presented at the Circular Economy Days in Münster, Euwid reports.

 

Circular economy, which aims to reduce negative effects of material and product use by taking into account all phases of material and product life cycles, is among the most important points of the circular economy strategy, head of department Andreas Jaron from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) emphasized at the presentation of the key points in Münster, according to Euwid. As further key points, he had referred, among other things, to the solution of the scarcity problem, changes in product design for a longer service life and better reparability, and the closing of material cycles. With regard to the potential of secondary raw materials to reduce the need for primary raw materials, Jaron said he currently assumes a maximum of 15 to 20 percent. However, this could be significantly increased in the future through better product design and material use geared to the circular economy. Jaron had also pointed out that no direct legal measures were associated with the circular economy strategy. Instead, he said, a general direction should also be set in close coordination with other raw materials policy strategies. The raw materials strategy and the national circular economy strategy were to be closely interlinked, Michael Weltzin from the "Raw materials policy, resource efficiency and circular economy" department at the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWI) explained. The BMWI was also striving to improve the durability and reparability of products by strengthening "design for recycling" and also considers it necessary to increase the use of secondary raw materials, improve the demand for secondary raw materials and keep waste separate. Weltzin announced concrete recommendations for action for the circular economy for September of this year when the consultation of representatives from industry, associations, science and politics is completed. Associations in the waste management industry, such as the BDE-Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung (German Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management), welcomed the German government's plan in principle, but urged more speed. According to BDE President Peter Kurth, the necessary measures should be taken now, irrespective of the strategy, in order not to lose any more time on the important issues. More speed in the promotion of recycling on the national level and in the EU urged apart from Kurth also bvse managing director Eric Rehbock. From Kurth's and Rehbock's point of view, the planning and approval procedures must also be addressed in the circular economy strategy. In this regard, Rehbock had warned that recycling could not move forward as long as no simplifications were made to the procedures. Holger Thärichen, managing director of the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU), had called for closer integration of recycling management and climate protection. He said that in order to skim off more plastic waste, he had called for a fresh start on the recycling garbage can, citing the continuing high proportion of plastics in residual waste.

 

Sources:

• euwid-recycling.de (March 1, 2023)
• Graphik: © BMUV