Development of the Closed Cycle and Waste Management Policy Towards a Sustainable Substance Flow and Resources Policy - Abstract and summarized version

The sub-project "Identification of Relevant Substances and Materials for a Substance Flow-Oriented Resource-Conserving Waste Management" (short title: Sustainable Materials Management – Important Potentials in Germany) represents an intermediate step in the BMU project "Development of the Closed Cycle and Waste Management Policy towards a Sustainable Substance Flow and Resources Policy" (FKZ 90531411). This Öko-Institut and IFEU-Institut sub-project will provide the Federal Environment Ministry with vital information and data relating to future focal points for closed cycle and waste management policy. This policy is dedicated to intensified utilisation of potentials for resource conservation at all levels of the production and consumption of goods. This target of resource conservation across all material flow sectors is consistent with the corresponding targets of the Federal Government"s sustainability strategy (doubling both raw material productivity and energy productivity) and the EU’ s resources as well as waste prevention and recycling strategies. In addition, due to the considerably increased costs of both raw materials and energy carriers, the topic of resource conservation and material efficiency is also a central issue for both industry and the consumer.