Norway Takes the Path to Circular Economy

On the 21st of June 2017, the Norwegian government presented a White Paper on waste policies in a circular economy with an emphasis on increasing reuse and recycling to the Norwegian Parliament.

According to the Norwegian Minis­try for Climate and Environment, waste is no longer first and foremost a problem, it is also a resource. “Recycling and measures to reduce waste are important elements in our waste policies,” the Minister for Climate and Environment, Vidar Helgesen, was quoted.

Measures to combat marine litter

Marine litter and pollution from microplastics are growing environmental problems that require efforts on a local, national and global level, the ministry pointed out. “Measures to reduce marine litter are therefore of high importance to reduce microplastics in the environment.” The Norwegian Government also intends to reduce emissions of microplastics from key land-based sources in Norway and strengthen the clean-up efforts of plastics from along the Norwegian coastline. The Norwegian Government recently decided to establish a National Centre at Lofoten/Vesterålen that will hold a central role in the clean-up effort. A grant scheme for local authorities that want to implement measures to reduce marine litter and microplastics will be introduced as well.

As reported, the White Paper also outlines Norway‘s strategy to strengthen international commitment to combat marine litter through cooperations in the Nordic region, the EU, other regional fora and through the UN. The Plastic Strategy will be translated into English.

Photo: pixabay

GR 32017