CEMR’s Priorities for Revising EU Waste Rules and Advancing the Circular Economy
With the EU revising its Waste Framework Directive as part of the broader Circular Economy Package, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is calling for an approach that respects local realities and builds true governance partnerships.
Local and regional governments are central to delivering Europe’s circular economy goals. From waste collection and recycling to raising citizen awareness, they are closest to the daily operations that make sustainability a reality.
In its 2016 position, CEMR welcomes the Commission’s shift toward a more balanced approach. It supports clearer definitions for municipal waste, realistic recycling targets, and the inclusion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules. However, CEMR also warns against overregulation through delegated acts and stresses the importance of flexibility in areas like separate collection and biowaste.
Key recommendations include:
- Respecting subsidiarity: Leave room for national and local adaptation.
- Ensuring fair cost-sharing: Producers should fully cover the costs of waste linked to their products.
- Supporting public investment: EU funds must clearly back local waste infrastructure.
- Promoting green public procurement: Encourage but avoid overlap with procurement rules.
- Looking beyond municipal waste: Industrial and commercial sectors must also be addressed.
Ultimately, CEMR sees municipalities as essential partners, not just implementers, in shaping a sustainable and job-creating circular economy. Without their full involvement and adequate resources, Europe risks missing the mark on both ambition and delivery.
For more information, contact:
Advisor – Environment and mobility
