New EU Laws on Waste and Circular Economy - A boost for countries, a dream or even a nightmare

The European Union is entering a decisive phase in shaping the future of waste management, resource efficiency, and the circular economy. Through a broad package of new legislation, the EU aims to reduce environmental impacts, lower climate emissions, and cut the use of virgin materials. These ambitions will transform both the way products and packaging are designed and the way materials are collected, sorted, and recycled once they reach the end of their life.

This session will provide an overview of the upcoming legislative changes and their expected consequences at local level. Participants will hear about the implications for municipalities, producer responsibility organisations, and local businesses that will need to adapt to stricter product and packaging requirements, while at the same time ensuring that their waste and recycling infrastructure is upgraded and modernised.

We will discuss key questions such as:

• How will the new rules on product and packaging design affect local actors?
• What investments and innovations are needed in collection, sorting, and recycling systems?
• Where do local challenges differ from EU-wide objectives, and how can they be addressed?
• What opportunities exist for collaboration between municipalities, industry, and citizens?

The session will combine short expert presentations with a moderated panel discussion. After the introduction of the EU’s policy framework and its objectives, representatives from local authorities and industry will present practical perspectives and case studies. This will be followed by an interactive exchange with the audience, giving participants the opportunity to raise questions and share experiences from their own regions.

The aim of the session is to identify both the obstacles and the opportunities created by the new EU framework, to exchange practical insights, and to outline possible next steps for local stakeholders in implementing the circular economy transition.