Focus Session I:
Circular Economy practicality: regulatory hurdles & knowledge gaps

CINEMA HALL / 15 May 2024 / 16:30 - 17:20
Focus Session I - Circular Economy practicality: regulatory hurdles & knowledge gaps

Moderator:
Pierre Hennebert, Consultant (FR)

Panelists:
Rafael Basciano, FEAD - European Waste Management Association (BE)
Giovanni Beggio, University of Padova (IT)


The session will give an overview of the challenges behind the establishment of End of Waste status for specific recycled materials, highlighting regulatory, environmental, economic and life-cycle considerations. The discussion will develop starting from the following specific questions:

• When the “product” status should be reassigned to the recycled goods/secondary raw materials?
• (Alternative) Should the definition of waste be narrowed to unrecyclable material?
• How can we assess the practicality/substitutability/quality/sustainability of recycled material when compared to virgin materials in a life-cycle perspective?
• Is the existing knowledge comprehensive on the presence of non-intentionally added substances and their environmental impacts in secondary raw materials and recycled products?
• Hazard-based vs risk-based in the intended use: how should we assess impacts on environment and human health of recycled products?