UK successfully lobbies to cut resource goals

The European Parliament has dropped a demand for a resource efficiency target in the revised circular economy package, following lobbying by member states including the UK.

In July, MEPs endorsed most proposals from the environment committee, which wanted the European Commission to keep the tougher recycling standards proposed by its predecessor (endsreport.com/46908).

This includes higher targets for municipal recycling to at least 70% and packaging waste to 80% by 2030, a ban on incinerating recyclable and biodegradable waste by 2020 and a gradual decrease in landfill from 2020.