Rapporteur Simona Bonafè oversaw efforts which resulted in a vote on the waste legislation proposals concerning the EU Circular Economy Package.

The vote amends the Waste Framework Directive to ensure a separate collection of bio-waste across Europe facilitated by certified collection tools such as compostable bio-waste bags.

The amendment also affected the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, encouraging the use of bio-based resources for the production of packaging and thus supporting the drive for a circular economy and bioeconomy.

The Parliament also voted to exclude mechanically or organically recyclable waste from landfills, supported a definition that confirms by-products not to be waste, and introduced a food waste definition and a food waste prevention hierarchy.

Members of The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) welcomed the vote. Annick Carpentier, director general of ACE, said: “The further deployment of renewable materials for packaging will contribute to foster innovation, investments and qualified jobs in Europe. This positive vote will lay the groundwork for a low-carbon economy and reduce dependence on finite primary materials.”

She added that the outcome of this vote is a step forward for increased recycling in Europe, with separate collection of packaging generating a further push for innovation in sorting and recycling solutions and securing higher recycling rates.

François de Bie, chairman of European Bioplastics (EUBP), the association representing the bioplastics industry in Europe, said the amendments ensured that the potential of bio-waste as a valuable resource can be tapped through organic recycling and will provide an important boost to the secondary resource and products market within the EU.

“The European Parliament just took a big step towards reducing our dependency on fossil resources and driving the transition to a low-carbon, bio-based economy. This can only be tackled step by step in the next years via a concerted effort from all relevant stakeholders”, added de Bie.