Managing waste in a more efficient manner is the first step towards a circular economy, where most if not all products and materials are recycled or re-used repeatedly. On 18 April, MEPs adopted the circular economy package, which establishes new legally binding targets and fixed deadlines for waste recycling and the reduction of landfilling. It will still need to be approved by the Council before it can enter into force.

The package includes a common EU target for recycling at least 55% of municipal waste by 2025; this target would rise to 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035. Also envisaged is a common EU target for recycling 65% of packaging waste by 2025, and 70% by 2030. There would be separate targets for specific materials:

By 2025 By 2030 All packaging 65% 70% Plastic 50% 55% Wood 25% 30% Ferrous metals 70% 80% Aluminium 50% 60% Glass 70% 75% Paper and cardboard 75% 85%

By 2035, no more than 10% of municipal waste would be deposited in a landfill.

Waste has a negative impact on the environment, climate, human health and the economy, and although waste management in the EU has improved considerably in recent decades, over a quarter of municipal waste is still landfilled and less than half is recycled or composted. There are wide variations between the member states.