Page 4 - Environmental_Circular Economy

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Introduction to the topic

The circular economy proposes an economic and productive model based on sustainability and the saving
of resources and energy sources. Goods are produced, consumed, recycled, produced and re-consumed,
entering a circular life cycle. It is a recent and increasingly widespread concept based on economic
principles and other aspects such as the environment. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended.
In that sense, the concept of circular economy covers all stages of the product life cycle, from product
design and production process, through transformation and consumption to waste management, recycling
and reuse. For example, an initial focus on designing products that are more resource-efficient throughout
their lifecycles can make products more durable.

The circular economy also demands greater efficiency in production processes and here the focus is on
seeking to reduce the environmental and social impact of production, such as through promoting
innovative industrial processes or more sustainable supply.

References to EU policies in line with this topic

The European Commission presented in December 2015 its Action Plan (European Commision, 2.12.2015
COM(2015) 614 final ) for a circular economy in Europe. The objective of this plan was to point out the
different measures (up to a total of 54) that it considered necessary to carry out in the following 5 years to
advance in the circular economy. The measures affected:

- To the different stages of the product life cycle (design and production, consumption, waste management
and use of the resources contained in the waste through its reintroduction into the economy) and
- Five areas that the Commission considers priority (plastics, food waste, critical raw materials, construction
and demolition, and biomass and bio-based products).

Likewise, the plan also included a horizontal section on innovation and investment and a timetable for the
54 measures.

In march 2020, the European Commission adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan (European
Commission, COM/2020/98 final ) - one of the main blocks of the European Green Deal, Europe’s new
agenda for sustainable growth.