Brussels — PU foam mattress and upholstered furniture recycling projects gained a potential boost today in new European Commission guidance to member states on the role of waste-to-energy processes in the circular economy.
The guidance is designed to help member states "achieve the right balance of waste-to-energy capacity, highlighting the role of the waste hierarchy which ranks waste management core options according to their sustainability and gives top priority to preventing and recycling waste," the EC said.
The EC continued that the guidance is designed to "maximise the benefits of the small but innovative part of the national energy mix, and helps exploit opportunities for cross-border partnerships where this is appropriate and in line with environmental goals."
Additionally, the European commission has unveiled the Circular Economy Finance Support Platform to enhance the link between existing financing instruments, such as the European fund for strategic investments and InnovFinn – EU Finance investors initiative backed by Horizon 2020.
It paves the way to "potentially develop new financial instruments for securely economy projects. The platform will bring together the commission, the EIB, National promotional banks, institutional investors and other stakeholders to raise awareness of the circular economy investment opportunities and promote the best practice amongst potential promoters," the EC said.