Local law before the challenges of circular economy

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of local administrations –particularly municipalities– in achieving the ambitious objectives of the European policy on waste and resources. To facilitate this analysis, first the article briefly presents the main factors which impact on the evolution of the legislation in this field. The article pretends to discuss some ideas which would allow the reconsideration of the powers and competences of municipalities in this field. The result of this reassessment, which takes into account the recent doctrine of the Spanish Constitutional Court on the (to a great extent, failed) local reform of 2013, is contrasted with the new challenges that the transition to the European “circular economy” entailed, new challenges which imply more political than legal dilemmas.

Keywords:

circular economy, municipalities, waste and resources, reduction, collection, reuse, recycling