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In circular economy (Ce), the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible. What has previously been considered waste is now a resource that can be reused and reintroduced to the production cycle. Therefore, waste management of both technical and bio-based waste streams plays a central role in the transition towards Ce. In bioeconomy, the materials are to a certain extent circular by nature. however, biomaterials may also be used in a rather linear way. according to the european Commission, the transition towards Ce needs to be supported on local, regional and national levels. Thus, to enhance sustainability and get the full potential out of bioeconomy, the Ce principles should be applied to reach bio-based Ce. This paper presents the results of a qualitative assessment that was carried out in Finland, Spain, Slovakia, greece, romania and France. Selected national and regional strategies were identified, compared and analyzed from the perspective of Ce and bio-based Ce. at the time of the study, the added value of Ce was recognized in most of the national and regional level strategies studied, through objectives concerning e.g. waste management or bioenergy. Bio-based Ce was hardly ever included as a term but circularity aspects were referred to for example through biowaste management. Waste management appears to be the main driver in the transition towards Ce. This is evident also in the case presented from Slovakia. yet, in order for Ce to become an integral part of national and regional policies, a more comprehensive understanding of the Ce mechanisms should be achieved. Supported actions on both small and large-scale are needed. The research is partly an outcome of the ongoing Interreg europe project BIOregIO, where the bio-based circular economy is boosted through a transfer of expertise about best practices, aiming at changing regional policies to support bio-based Ce.

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Problem According to the Landfill Directive, the proportion of municipal waste disposed of in landfills should be reduced to 10% w/w or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated by 2035. It should be highlighted that even though the regional waste management plans in Greece took into consideration the recycling targets set by the European Union, the proportion of municipal waste disposed of by landfilling was about 80% w/w in 2020.Purpose The present study aims to introduce a methodological framework for the calculation of residues from facilities foreseen in regional waste management plans and the potential of its utilization for energy recovery. Methodology The methodology for the development and implementation of the decision support tool concerned the registration of treatment facilities, the estimation of recyclables and residues derived from them, the calculation of maximum volume or residues for achieving the recycling targets and the circular economy objective, the assessment of quality composition of residues, and the assessment of energy recovery potential. Findings Up to 270 GWh of electricity per year could be generated from a supposed thermal treatment of residues from recycling, while targets concerning recycling and waste management in the frame of circular economy objective can been achieved. Conclusions The proposed methodological framework can be utilized as a decision support tool by relevant decision makers, and can be applied both for the evaluation of the regional waste management plans, which directly affect national recycling and circular economy targets set by European Union environment policy.