The new EU policy package could cut unemployment in Italy, Poland and Germany, saving €3 billion ($3.1 billion) a year.
A report by think-tank Green Alliance said 270,000 people could be brought back into work in those three economies alone if the package is ambitious enough, CIWM Journal reported.
Long-term jobs could emerge in Poland, where there is a lot of scope for developing remanufacturing industries, and Dustin Benton, Head of Energy and Resources at Green Alliance said that “by being more ambitious in developing the reuse, remanufacturing and recycling industries, significant social as well as environmental dividends can be gained”.
This is the first analysis by Green Alliance for the Alliance for Circular Economy Solutions (ACES), a collaboration of businesses and think-tanks committed to a far-reaching policy in Europe.
Benton continued: “These benefits can apply to countries across Europe with very different geographies, economies and labour market challenges. We hope that the EU measures presented will require better product design, reward manufacturers which create products that are remanufactured and recycled, and reform markets for secondary materials.”
Katharina Reuter, CEO of the German Green Business Association, said: “What we need are binding targets to reduce resource use. Of key importance for us is that different targets for reuse and recycling are developed and established – notably on electronics, textiles and furniture.”