Brussels, 19th November 2014
Dear President Juncker,
We, the undersigned, are writing to express our deep concern about the potential withdrawal of the Circular Economy Package from the Commission’s 2015 Work Programme. Given its potential for green job creation, resource security, environmental protection and economic growth, combined with the strong support from a wide variety of stakeholders, we condemn its possible withdrawal.
Since its release in July, the political process has begun in earnest, and we stress that this must be allowed to continue. During October’s Environment Council Meeting, Member States explicitly recognised that a transition towards a resource efficient circular economy is essential for our future competitiveness and long-term sustainable development. The Committee of the Regions has already issued a draft opinion, and the European Parliament has also begun its work, demonstrating the strength of interest in this proposal.
Numerous studies have highlighted the significant environmental, economic and social benefits of moving towards a circular economy. In addition to clear environmental benefits, the impact assessment shows that full implementation of current EU waste legislation together with more ambitious waste policy would create over 580,000 jobs (1), increase the annual turnover of the EU waste management and recycling sector by €42 billion and would save €72 billion a year in waste management costs. As such it is a cornerstone for Europe’s future competitiveness.
With broad stakeholder support across Europe, we call on the European Commission to respect the will of European citizens, municipalities, politicians, academics, NGOs and businesses by supporting the continued discussion and adoption process for the Package.
Yours sincerely,
Anastasia Roniotes, Head Officer, Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE)
Anja Leetz, Executive Director, HealthCareWithoutHarm
Antigone Dalamagas, President, RREUSE
Dr. Arthur ten Wolde, Coordinator Circular Economy, IMSA Amsterdam
Cory Edelman, Director of Programmes, ClientEarth
Franco Zanata, President, Contarina (Public Waste company Priula and TV tre)
Gilles Assenjo, President, Surfrider Foundation Europe
Dr. Heather Leslie, Institute for Environmental Studies VU University Amsterdam
Janko Kramžar, Director, Snaga (Public Waste company of Ljubljana)
Jan Willem Goudriaan, General Secretary, EPSU
Jeremy Wates, Secretary General, European Environmental Bureau
Jorgo Riss, Director, Greenpeace EU
Josep Maria Tost, President, ACR+
Josu Juaristi Abaunz, Member of the European Parliament
Lasse Gustavsson, Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Oceana Europe
Laura Degallaix, Secretary General, ECOS
Magda Stoczkiewicz, Director, Friends of the Earth Europe
Martine Postma, Founder/Director, Repair Café Foundation
Martin Garitano, Diputado General, Diputación Foral de Gipuzkoa
Dr. Monica Verbeek, Executive Director Seas At Risk
Nadine De Greef, Secretary General, FEAD
Norman MacDonald, Senior President, KIMO International
Paolo Di Croce, Secretary International, Slow Food
Professor Richard Thompson, School of Marine Science and Engineering, Plymouth University
Ray Georgeson, Chief Executive, Resource Association
Rossano Ecolini, President, Zero Waste Europe
Vanya Veras, Secretary General, Municipal Waste Europe