Agenda of the Environment Council, 25 March 2024

Waste framework directive

EU environment ministers will hold a policy debate on the Commission’s proposal to revise the waste framework directive, focusing on the textile and food sectors. The overall aim of the proposal is to reduce the environmental and climate impacts associated with textile and food waste generation and management.

On textiles, it introduces mandatory and harmonised extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes across the EU, so that producers will cover the costs of textile waste management. The proposed rules also aim to ensure that used textiles are sorted for reuse, and what cannot be reused is recycled, in line with the ‘waste hierarchy’.

The proposal also sets legally binding food waste reduction targets for member states, to be achieved by 2030 to contribute to the EU’s commitments under the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Additionally, the amended directive requires member states to review and adapt their national food waste prevention programmes with a view to attaining those targets.

Ministers will discuss the level of ambition of the 2030 food waste reduction objectives and the effectiveness of the extended responsibility of textile producers to counter the environmental impact of textile waste.

• Presidency background paper
• Proposal for a targeted revision of the Waste Framework Directive (European Commission)
• Reducing food loss and food waste (background information)
• Circular economy (background information)

Reducing microplastic pollution

Ministers will also have a policy debate on the Commission’s proposal on preventing plastic pellet losses to the environment. The proposed regulation aims to further reduce microplastic pollution, specifically tackling the unintentional release of microplastics from the handling of plastic pellets.

The proposal establishes a general obligation for operators and EU and non-EU carriers to prevent plastic pellet losses and includes best handling practices for operators, a mandatory certification system and a harmonised methodology to estimate losses.
Ministers will be invited to discuss the proposal, focusing on whether they consider the provisions to be adequate and evaluating the proposed regulation in regard to the responsibility allocated to different public and private actors. They will also assess the need to include measures related to maritime transport, which is not covered by the proposal put forward by the Commission.

• Proposal for a regulation on preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution (European Commission)
• Zero pollution action plan (European Commission)