The purpose of this Law is to promote the transition towards a circular economy, moving from a linear economy to a more efficient and sustainable economic model aimed at optimizing the use of natural resources, minimizing environmental impacts, promoting the effectiveness in getting products and resources to maintain utility and value as long as possible and avoiding emissions and material losses. The circular model also promotes responsible and efficient consumption by minimizing waste generation and optimizing its management, increasing reuse and recycling and reducing less efficient waste management options. This Law uses the definitions of Law No. 25/2004 of 14 December on waste.
The general purposes of the Circular Economy Law are the following: a) Promote more sustainable consumption models; b) Minimize the consumption of single-use products; c) Reduce food waste; d) Promote economic development, job creation and the sustainable development based on the consumption of renewable resources; e) Reduce the production of negative effects in the economy, with the consequent improvement of the environment, life and well-being of people; f) Enhance efficiency in the use of resources; g) Promote innovation related to the circular economy in companies; h) Promote ecological design in products and services; i) Improve waste management by minimizing its generation, increasing reuse and recyclability, reducing energy recovery and disposal, following the waste hierarchy; j) Ensure that products and services are more durable and reusable; k) Raise public awareness of the circular economy concept; l) Promote the teaching of the circular economy in schools; m) Promote the use of circular economy schemes and models to increase resilience and health.