Reviewing the integrated institutional waste-related framework for circular economy in the European Union

The current waste crisis calls for a stable and integrated institutional framework. Policymakers try to untangle the complicated and interconnected acts, regulations, and directives in the European Union (EU). However, it is not a plain sailing to observe and implement the vast regulatory armamentarium of the EU in the circular economy (CE) sectors to achieve sustainable waste management (SWM). Aim of the present study is to showcase the historic – international and European – institutional framework on waste management as well as the main hazardous and special waste streams in order to build an integrated SWM framework. Moreover, CE necessitates for the safeguarding of critical raw materials (CRMs) and energy, in order to blueprint policies for the Net-Zero Age. Hence, the present study would show how CE can establish SWM, even though CE is going to face complex challenges till the conclusion of Agendas 2030 and 2050.