UK business and trade bodies unite against EU plans to axe circular economy package

Resources & Environmental Management Industries, Manufacturers and NGOs have today united in opposition against EU plans, due to be put before a vote of the European Commission today, on its work programme for 2015, which may remove support for the Circular Economy package.

The UK’s most influential representative bodies for the resource and waste management sector have combined with EEF the manufacturers’ organisation, the Environmental Industries Commission, Friends of the Earth and the Trade Association Group (of which ADBA is a member) to express dismay at reports that the EU Circular Economy package is to be withdrawn. 

In a joint statement, the resource and waste management sector called on the UK Government to send a clear message to Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the Commission, in support of the circular economy package.

ADBA’s Chief Executive, Charlotte Morton, commented:

The World Economic Forum has suggested that developing the circular economy would save $1 trillion a year and yet despite this the EU is considering axing the economic package.

The EU risks turning its back on years of positive progress on environmental policy through its commitment to getting the most out of our resources. The Circular Economy package offers huge potential for green job creation, energy and food security, environmental protection and economic growth for both the UK and the wider EU membership.

We’ve joined with the resource and waste management sector to urge the UK government to lobby President Juncker to reinstate the Circular Economy package.