The Academies Science Advisory Council, which gathers national academies providing independent scientific advice to European policy-makers, launched two new reports on the circular economy:
“Priorities for critical materials for a circular economy” and “Indicators for a circular economy”.
These reports serve as a contribution to the on-going discussion on what the European Union should be measuring to ensure progress towards the circular economy and how to address the shortage of “critical materials” in the future.
In its report on critical materials, EASAC offers potential approaches to analysing scarcity and identifying which elements are likely to be at risk of future scarcity. It looks at how to increase the supply of critical materials and how to improve recycling rates for these materials. In the report, EASAC supports the Commission’s proposal to strengthen EPR schemes to incorporate end-of-life costs into product prices and provide incentives for producers to take better into account recyclability and reusability when designing their products.
On indicators for the circular economy, EASAC has analysed the ways to assess progress towards the circular economy and will share its insights on the indicators that are most needed in Europe. China and Japan are analysed as case studies.
https://www.easac.eu/home/reports-and-statements/detail-view/article/circular-eco-1.html