CORDIS Express: EU-research supports waste targets
Earlier this week, the Commission adopted new 2030 waste targets that aim to boost recycling and help drive Europe's transition towards a 'circular economy'. Under our current model, valuable materials are continuously leaking from our economies. In 2011, total waste production in the EU amounted to approximately 2.5 billion tons. Only 40 % of the municipal waste generated was recycled, with the rest being landfilled or incinerated. A staggering 500 million tons of it could have been otherwise recycled or reused. According to the new proposal, EU countries would reach recycling rates of 70 % of municipal waste and 80 % of packaging waste by 2030, and it would be illegal to bury recyclable waste in landfill from 2025. The proposal also includes measures aimed at reducing food waste generation by 30 % by 2025, as well as a target for reducing marine litter. The Commission says that achieving these new waste targets would create 580 000 new jobs compared to today's performance. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, underlined the importance of research projects in our move towards a new economic model: 'Research and innovation are the keys to success for the Circular Economy, which is why we are proposing a joined-up approach today. Alongside a supportive regulatory framework, our new Horizon 2020 programme will contribute the know-how necessary to shape a resource-efficient, green and competitive low-carbon economy in the EU.' Researchers across Europe are already engaged in a range of projects exploring more innovative design techniques, testing better performing and more durable products and production processes, and making technical advances to turn waste into a resource. This edition of CORDIS Express takes a look at articles highlighting some of these research efforts. - Trending science: The curious case of the disappearing sea rubbish - A new biodegradable product for environmentally friendly crops - Generation Awake talks 'upcycling' - Circular economy: the great innovation challenge - Cutting-edge research on non-food biofuels - Nurturing social innovation to reduce food waste - Recycling old aircraft plastics - Re-using industrial waste heat - Mutual learning for better waste management - 'Whey' better plastics for food packaging