Mario Schembri, CEP of Greenpak and Board Member of EXPRA, represented EXPRA during this Circular Economy Mission to Singapore as EXPRA was again invited and asked to participate in this mission, as the experts in all matters around EPR. This time the mission was led by DG Environments Director General Daniel Calleja Crespo
The mission was organised by the Directorate-General (DG) for the Environment of the European Commission and aim to build bridges between European institutions, NGOs and companies and the relevant stakeholders in those third countries, interested in the opportunities that the transition to the circular economy brings.
The Circular Economy Missions are conceived with three clear objectives:
- To increase cooperation between the EU and third countries in the field of environmental policy. This can be achieved by signing political agreements directed at fostering the circular economy, green public procurement and innovative, sustainable and inclusive growth.
- To achieve a better understanding of the environmental challenges faced by third countries.
- To promote green solutions through business partnerships abroad. In this regard, the missions will organise matchmaking events between European and local entrepreneurs and will engage in exchange of views with targeted audiences.
The policies discussed during the missions gravitated around circular economy, resource efficiency and sustainable use of natural resources. In particular, the missions focus on topics related to eco-innovation, chemicals and plastic, waste, water management, marine pollution and urban environmental best practices. These issues offer a wide area for further bilateral discussions, not least because they have a great potential for innovative business solutions. For instance, the use of state-of-the-art technologies can help to reduce environmental impacts.