The EU should reaffirm the role of Waste-to-Energy in the circular economy

ESWET welcomes the European Commission’s 2023 Work Programme and the renewal of the Green Deal’s ambitions.

ESWET

Indeed, Waste-to-Energy provides reliable, local and partly renewable energy, while playing an important hygienic function by treating non-recyclable municipal waste. This process of using residual waste as a resource not only keeps citizens warm but is also a vital link in the circular economy. The Commission acknowledged this role of Waste-to-Energy in 2017 but must now reaffirm its commitment to Waste-to-Energy since residual waste generation is continuously increasing.

- Preserving the existing waste hierarchy;
- Recognising the recovery of metals and minerals from bottom ash as recycling;
- Supporting Member States in achieving the landfill reduction target by 2035;
- Fully reinforcing the Polluter-pays principle.

ESWET also welcomes the Critical Raw Materials Act, and highlights that the recycling and recovery of key materials will be crucial to the green transition.