Chemicals in the circular economy

The circular economy plays a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for resources. However, circular material flows also present challenges, particularly the risk of hazardous chemicals being carried over from waste into secondary materials, and eventually into products. This can lead to human health and environmental risks from the use of secondary materials in products. 

The Role of Waste Treatment Companies  

Hazardous chemicals enter the waste streams through the products they were originally used in. For some hazardous substances legal requirements exist regarding the treatment of waste, such as the regulation on persistent organic pollutants (POPs).  

Secondary materials have to comply with legal requirements regarding the absence/content of hazardous chemicals, in particular restrictions in chemicals or product legislation. Waste collectors, sorting facilities and recycling plants could prevent substances from re-entering the production cycle by effectively separating them from end-of-life products and materials before they enter a second life.

However, the waste treatment chain usually lacks data on the composition of their input materials (wastes). Without this information, they can neither decide on the appropriate type of waste processing nor fully ensure the secondary materials they produce are free of (certain) hazardous substances, unless they conduct comprehensive and costly chemical analyses. 

The Challenge of Hazardous Chemicals in Waste

For a circular economy to function effectively and to produce secondary materials that are free of hazardous substances, the waste treatment sector must have better access to information on hazardous chemicals in end-of-life materials. Knowing the composition of waste input enables the waste actors to separate waste streams and to produce safer, higher-quality secondary materials.

Another key factor is the development of strong markets for high-quality secondary materials. Knowledge about the absence of hazardous chemicals must be rewarded with higher prices. Demand for these materials—and market incentives for cleaner alternatives—will play a crucial role. Regulations such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation are expected to support this transition. However, how market prices for recycled materials will evolve and whether they will appropriately respond in relation to the content or absence of hazardous chemicals remains uncertain.

Advancements in technology are essential to improve the identification of hazardous substances, waste sorting, and material separation. Additionally, companies need enhanced capacity to manage waste streams separately and implement safe disposal methods for highly contaminated materials.