Aline Maigret, Head of Policy at Zero Waste Europe, states:
“The EU Bioeconomy Strategy sets ambitious goals, but achieving a circular bioeconomy requires careful design within planetary boundaries. For example, promoting bio-based packaging without tackling environmental pressures from intensive forestry and agriculture is a no-go.”
The strategy’s emphasis on material production rather than bioenergy is a positive step, and embedding cascading use as a practical requirement would ensure biomass is kept in high-value, long-life applications rather than being diverted to lower-value or short-lived uses. ZWE also welcomes the recognition of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) as a framework to guide sustainable bio-based products.
Aline Maigret, Head of Policy at Zero Waste Europe, continues:
“ZWE believes the strategy can be strengthened by acting on our six priorities: prioritising reusable products, ensuring chemical safety, protecting recycled content, managing biowaste effectively, guiding responsible material use, safeguarding ecosystems, and embedding circularity across all lead markets.”
