Waste Legislation and the Circular Economy

Abstract

The circular economy transforms the traditional economic model by introducing those models of production and consumption that ensure the reuse and recycling of materials and products. The life cycle of the products is thus much extended. However, any product will at some point become waste. This article sets out how waste legislation supports or even imposes the circular economy by (i) regulating the notion of by-product (ii) introducing mandatory recycling targets and (iii) specific criteria for recycling certain categories of waste.