European Parliament
Sebastian Valentin Bodu  (PPE ),
in writing.
(RO)
EU policy on waste has evolved in the last 30 years through a series of environmental action plans and a legislative framework whose aim is to reduce the adverse impact on the environment and health and to create a resource- and energy-efficient economy. In some Member States, recycling and recovery are the main waste management options deployed, with a reduction in the use of landfill sites to a negligible level, whereas other Member States still use landfills for most of their waste. This also presents an economic opportunity. Indeed, in 2008, this sector recorded a turnover of EUR 145 billion, which accounted for roughly 1% of EU GDP and provided 2 million jobs. Compliance with EU policy would help create a sector providing 2.4 million jobs and a total annual turnover of EUR 187 billion. If Member States recycled 70% of their waste, this could create at least half a million new jobs throughout Europe.

