{"id":118671,"date":"2025-09-09T13:01:26","date_gmt":"2025-09-09T11:01:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/?p=118671"},"modified":"2025-09-09T13:01:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-09T11:01:26","slug":"parliament-votes-on-key-waste-and-vehicle-laws-but-falls-short-of-real-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/parliament-votes-on-key-waste-and-vehicle-laws-but-falls-short-of-real-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Parliament votes on key waste and vehicle laws, but falls short of real solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Today the European Parliament voted on two crucial laws: one to tackle food and textile waste, and another to reduce the environmental footprint of vehicles from design to disposal<\/span><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. <\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As the European Commission prepares a new Circular Economy Act, amidst a wider deregulatory push, and against the backdrop of a deepening waste crisis, the Parliament&#8217;s mixed response today falls short of the action needed &#8211; warns the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Vehicles: progress stalled by industry pressure<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Parliament voted on the revision and merge of the outdated<\/span> <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=celex%3A32000L0053\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202fEnd-of-Life Vehicles Directive<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202fand the<\/span><a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/eur-lex.europa.eu\/legal-content\/EN\/TXT\/?uri=CELEX%3A02005L0064-20090203\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">3R Type-Approval Directive<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">into a new<\/span> <a title=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/law\/better-regulation\/have-your-say\/initiatives\/12633-End-of-life-vehicles-revision-of-EU-rules_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Regulation on Circularity Requirements on Vehicle Design and on Management of End-of-Life Vehicles<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Caving under the pressure of the automotive industry, Members of the European Parliament weakened the Commission&#8217;s proposal, which was meant to boost circularity in the sector and reduce the environmental impacts of vehicle design, production, use, and end-of-life treatment. \u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Notably, the Parliament:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Failed to address unsustainable material use<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, ignoring the need for fewer and smaller vehicles; <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prioritised recycling<\/span><\/b> <b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">instead <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">more <\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">effective<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> strategies<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> such as durability, reuse, and repair;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"4\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Failed to hold producers accountable<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> for used vehicles exported to non-EU countries<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Fynn Hauschke<span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Senior Policy Officer for Circular Economy &amp; Waste at the EEB, said:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;EU lawmakers keep ignoring the core problem: the ever-increasing size and number of cars is driving up material use and environmental impact. Without tackling this trend \u2013 and requiring manufacturers to design vehicles to be durable and repairable from the outset \u2013 the regulation will not put the sector on a truly sustainable path.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Negotiations between the Parliament and Member States will now begin to finalise the Regulation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Food and textile waste: progress with major gaps<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Parliament also endorsed the deal\u202fon the targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive, setting EU targets to cut food waste by 2030 and introducing new measures to address the rising tide of textile waste.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For the first time, the EU will have binding <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">food<\/span><\/b> <b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">waste<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> reduction targets:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:770,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">10% for processing and manufacturing<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:770,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">30% per capita for retail, restaurants, food services, and households<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Fynn Hauschke<span data-contrast=\"auto\"> said:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;We welcome binding targets on waste prevention, and especially for food waste, but the final text falls short of the EU&#8217;s pledge to halve food waste across the supply chain. By settling for less<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the Parliament is ignoring the scale of the crisis<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, missing a crucial chance to cut emissions, and putting food security and nature further at risk.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">textiles<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, the Directive introduces Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to make brands more accountable for the waste they generate. By May 2028, Member States must set up these schemes, requiring producers to cover the costs of collecting and sorting post-consumer textiles, as well as activities related to reuse, repair and recycling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">However, the EEB warns that the long deadline will delay urgently needed support for municipalities and the second-hand sector, and calls on Member States not to put off setting up the schemes. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>Emily Macintosh<span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Senior Policy Officer for Textiles at the EEB, said:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">We need ambitious EPR schemes for textiles to give municipalities and the second-hand sector the financial support they need to cope with growing volumes of discarded clothing. EPR must <\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">also provide support for countries like Ghana and Kenya, which are heavily affected by EU discarded clothing exports.<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cIt\u2019s time for EPR schemes to tackle overproduction head on by penalising companies for the harmful commercial practices which lead to so much waste generation in the first place<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d,<\/span><\/i> Macintosh <span data-contrast=\"auto\">added.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Once the revised Waste Framework Directive enters into force<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, Member States will have 20 months to transpose it into national law.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today the European Parliament voted on two crucial laws: one to tackle food and textile waste, and another to reduce the environmental footprint of vehicles from<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":118672,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138,4,140,137,139],"tags":[976,769,768,771,343,551,977,184,877],"class_list":["post-118671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-circular-economy","category-press-release","category-product-policy","category-resource-efficiency","category-waste-recycling","tag-end-of-life-vehicles","tag-epr","tag-extended-producer-responsibility","tag-food-waste","tag-recycling","tag-textiles","tag-vehicles","tag-waste","tag-waste-reduction-targets"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/pexels-tomfisk-3181031-e1757409684258.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/56"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118671\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}