European Dynamics, April 28. The EU is preparing to review its waste policy and legislation. The policy review included a review of key objectives of EU waste legislation, a "physical examination" of waste flow directives and an assessment of how best to deal with plastic waste. The EU plans to basically stop landfills by 2020, maximize reuse and recycling, limit energy recovery to recyclable waste and reduce waste generation. The EU industry has adopted a voluntary commitment to stop landfills by 2020, while promoting recycling and energy recovery when recycling cannot be achieved. This is consistent with the EU waste management system. The EU believes that the first is to prevent waste generation, then to reuse, recycle, energy recovery, and finally to landfill.

As a society of "use and lose", the plastic industry is one of the focuses of resource efficiency. Research on plastic recycling industry shows that 70%-80% recycling is feasible. According to EU statistics last year, 37% of EU waste is landfill, 25% recycled, 15% fertilized and 23% incinerated. The European Association of Plastic Pipes and Devices believes that it is good to stop landfills as soon as possible, even if it means burning more energy for recycling, as these energy sources can replace imported energy sources. Although more recycling would be better, it would depend on the development of countries dealing with waste through landfills, including the establishment of waste classification and appropriate recycling systems. In terms of resource efficiency, the three most important industries are food, transportation and construction, and construction is the industry most likely to use recycled materials.