Circular Economy -Public Consultation – Results Fertilisers WG meeting on 27.11.2015

Overall facts and results 1. Public stakeholder consultation Overall facts and results Public consultation was available from 28 May – 20 August 2015 1,420 questionnaires have been filled in online + 58 direct contributions sent by email to EC

1. Public stakeholder consultation Questionnaire covered five sections related to: Production phase Consumption phase Markets for secondary raw materials Sectoral measures Enabling factors for the Circular Economy in total 24 questions (to tick predefined answers and with open answer possibilities) Possibility to upload additional documents

Public stakeholder consultation on the Circular Economy 2. Key messages – Production phase Regarded as most important are: Addition aspects that have been highlighted as important: CE impacts on products Impacts on consumers Impacts on functionality of the product Impacts on enabling innovation Private individuals and civil society organisations: impact on the environment and ecosystems and the impact on used material and resources Professional responders: impact on global competitiveness, on affordability and quality as well as on functionality. Product Features Minimising lifecycle environmental impacts Recyclability Resource use in the use phase Durability Phase out of hazardous substances need to be considered when promoting CE principles Professional responders: use life cycle assessments to identify the most important product feature. Private enterprises and professional enterprises: safety aspects, functionality and affordability and access possibilities to repair manuals, software tools and firmware updates. 16/10/2015 Public stakeholder consultation on the Circular Economy

3. Key messages – Consumption phase 2. Key messages – Production phase Actions to be taken at EU level to remove obstacles for the development of the market Considering the role of consumers Awareness raising and education Use behavioural insight to effectively change consumer behaviour Engage with retailers Consider businesses and public sector as consumers too, thus GPP must take eco-design and LCA into account Use EU wide campaigns to impact consumer choices and engage their interests to see the relevance to everyday life of their consumption Provide Better information Consumer needs access to better digested information that provide more transparency

4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Additional comments provided on the consumption phase Materials considered Obstacles considered: Plastics Bio-nutrients Construction aggregates Critical raw materials …. Lack of EU-wide quality standards for recycled materials Poor quality of recycled materials Lack of information or misinformation about the quality of recycled materials Poor availability of waste/material to be recycled Poor reliability of supply for recycled materials Low demand for recycled materials Cost differential between primary and secondary raw materials Organisational cost of switching from primary to secondary raw materials in industrial processes Regulatory obstacles at national/regional/local level Regulatory obstacles at EU level Regulatory gaps at EU level Regulatory gaps at national/regional/local level Insufficient cooperation/exchange of information along the value chain Lack of reliable data on secondary raw material flows

4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Action for the lack of EU-wide quality standards for recycled materials Regarded as most important for: Bio-nutrients Construction aggregates Plastics EU-wide quality standards are requested

4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Regarded as most important for: Plastics Bio-nutrients Construction aggregates Action for the poor quality of recycled materials High quality standards and certification across recycling industries shall be implemented Quality requirements and different levels shall be defined Mixture of recyclables and raw materials shall be made technically and legally possible Design for disassembly … Focus shall be put on the output quality

4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Regarded as most important for: Bio-nutrients Construction aggregates Plastics Action for the lack of information about the quality of recycled material Implementing minimum quality standards for recyclables in order to address and eliminate public doubts Provide full product information, with minimum reporting standards on product characteristics. Recyclers and producers can be involved in the agreement on minimum criteria Education campaigns for citizen on recyclables Certificates shall acknowledge the quality level of recycled materials through third party verification Presence of hazardous substances shall be provided through proper information dissemination

4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Regarded as most important for: Critical raw materials Plastics Wood/ Biomass Action for the poor availability of waste /material to be recycled There is a need for `clean´ waste, e.g. by raising public awareness, improve separate collection and collection efficiency, emphasise segregation and inform consumers about the obligation of collecting for the right treatment. Availability shall be further stimulated by fully implemented landfill bans for recyclable materials and mandatory sorting schemes across the EU.

4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Regarded as most important for: Critical raw materials Plastics Wood/ Biomass Action for the poor reliability of supply for recycled materials Support of regional initiatives for focussing on the collection of minimum volumes Security of quality via minimum standards/certifications Set-up of a proper EU legal and policy framework

4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Regarded as most important for: Bio-nutrients Plastics Critical raw materials 4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Action for regulatory gaps at EU level A clear definition of final recycling shall be established Regulations for bio-nutrients and construction aggregates are necessary, whilst at the same time waste rules lack for empty cartridges Material efficiency and durability targets shall be integrated in EU product and waste policies The different types of wastewaters and their reuse shall be taken into account in making legislation

4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials Priority secondary raw materials markets

Priority secondary raw materials markets – reasons for choices 4. Key messages – Markets for secondary raw materials 3. Key messages – Consumption phase Priority secondary raw materials markets – reasons for choices Bio-nutrients for fertiliser use Importance of the nutrient cycle and the huge potential for the Circular Economy Implementation can be fast and will provide a good example The dependency of Europe on raw phosphorus from outside Europe endangers the access (need for phosphorus imports )