Circular Economy in the Legal Framework: The Case of Olive Mill By-product Management in Greece

The present study examines olive mill by-products management in Greece, the world's third-largest olive oil producer. Through a comprehensive analysis of the legal framework, this work critically evaluates how circular economy (CE) principles have been integrated into the environmental regulations governing olive mill waste. The analysis reveals that the regulatory framework remains complex and, in some cases, difficult to implement, despite Greece having incorporated EU provisions on wastewater reuse and by-product management. Key findings indicate that CE adoption has been conservative. Legislation has focused primarily on evaporation ponds, a longstanding, cost-effective solution, and more recently on land application, rather than incentivising innovative valorisation approaches. Furthermore, the study identifies critical gaps, including the discrepancy between quantitative and qualitative characteristics for land application, the classification of olive pomace as waste rather than a by-product, and the absence of provisions addressing olive pruning biomass. The findings contribute to understanding how regulatory frameworks can either facilitate or hinder CE implementation in the agricultural sector, with implications for other Mediterranean olive oil-producing countries.