The Role and Importance of EU Institutions in Advancing the Circular Economy

The European Union (EU) needs to embrace more circular economy (CE) principles in order to achieve a complete transition from the Fordic (linear economy) archetype to a sustainable paradigm. The central challenge is to deploy sustainable waste management (SWM) as the policy lever for the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG11 and SDG12. This report aims to: (i) map the EU’s institutional architecture alongside global waste conventions (Basel, Rotterdam, Stockholm, OECD); (ii) promote a coherent common waste framework (e.g., Waste Framework Directive); and (iii) address hazardous and special streams (e.g., ELVs, etc.). The report concludes that there are rising material footprints, hazardous-waste burdens, health externalities, and financing and cultural barriers; therefore, there is a need to further extend the waste hierarchy. The report presents relevant policy implications and guidance for CE implementation toward the Agendas 2030 and 2050, the European Green Deal and other related frameworks such as the Circular Economy Action Plan.