The statements on natural resources, waste and recycling run as follows:

The Council of the European Union reaffirms the need for a more sustainable use of natural resources in the EU, in relation also to the impact of this resources use beyond our continent, as highlighted in the Council conclusions of 23 October 2006; the Council of the European Union the Commission to explore measures to further promote the resource efficiency of the economy, in particular measures to promote a reduction in the use of materials, and to encourage their re-use and recycling, including, where appropriate, through the setting of targets, to boost the demand for recycled materials and products, including through the Lead Market Initiative on Recycling, and to encourage the more sustainable use of renewable raw materials;

Having regard to the importance of encouraging high quality recycling markets in the EU and maintaining public confidence in these markets, the Council of the European Union requests the Commission to continue to monitor recycling markets and, as a matter of urgency, to propose, as appropriate, short-term and long-term policy measures that could, on the basis of an analysis of recycling markets, promote the continued and effective and efficient functioning of recycling markets, reducing unnecessary administrative burden and, once economic conditions improve, achieve sustainable growth and retain employment in the sector; further the Council of the European Union requests the Commission with the support of Member States to accelerate work on the end-of-waste criteria, specifying exactly when recyclable materials cease to be waste and thereby helping to reduce unnecessary handling and transportation.

The Council of the European Union recognises importance of fully implementing and enforcing waste and recycling legislation, such as the new Framework Directive on waste adopted in November 2008, and underlines that this is essential in order to reduce negative environmental impacts, to achieve a high rate of reuse and recycling, which is a crucial element of a resource-efficient society, and to develop related industries and services in Europe.