PFAS: The Hidden Obstacle to a Truly Circular Economy

PFAS are here to stay

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” are a large group of synthetic compounds valued for their water-, grease-, and heat-resistant properties. They are widely used in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing and food packaging.

Due to their extremely stable carbon-fluorine bonds, PFAS are highly persistent in the environment and can be found in soil, water, air, wildlife, and even in our EU leaders as presented in this article by the EEB (add link to art). Several PFAS have been linked to health effects such as cancer, liver and kidney damage, and developmental and immune disorders (Euronews, 2025). Several PFAS have been linked to health effects such as cancer, liver and kidney damage, and developmental and immune disorders ( EFSA (2020) Risk to human health related to the presence of perfluoroalkyl substances in food; ECHA (2023) PFAS restriction proposal; Fenton et al (2021) Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Toxicity and Human Health).

When PFAS end up in waste streams, typical waste treatment options such as recycling, incineration or landfill will not suffice to break down these molecules. Even a hazardous waste incinerator or cement kiln, where higher temperatures are reached than a typical municipal waste incinerator, will still have to deal with hydrofluoric acid in the flue gases due to destruction of the PFAS.

As a result, PFAS can be seen as ‘legacy substances’ and we won’t get rid of them anytime soon. Even if a total ban on PFAS were to be implemented tomorrow, the PFAS already present in products and environment today will still circulate for a very long time.

Risk for the circular economy

From a regulatory perspective, the challenge will be to define a balanced framework to regulate the presence of PFAS in waste in a way that ensure protection of human health and the environment while maintaining the ambition in terms of waste recycling and recovery which are crucial to achieve the EU circular economy and climate goals. Some potential risks related to PFAS are:

• Decrease in demand for secondary raw materials due to 1) more strict regulation regarding PFAS concentrations in new products & 2) consumer awareness concerning this topic
• Significant costs related to treatment of PFAS contaminated waste (detection, separation and treatment) out of waste streams, and the resulting negative impact on recycling value chains
• Lack of harmonisation among member states regarding PFAS regulation could lead to a fragmentation of the single market of secondary raw materials

It is clear the next few years will have to untertake a huge work to create the right framework which allows to find this balance between our and the planet’s health, and the circular economy. PFAS are currently already adressed in certain EU regulations, but the focus on these chemicals will only grow in the years to come.

What is next?

The current framework is not equipped to deal with PFAS in a way would allow its complete removal from the environment. Thus more action needs to be taken, which would also be in line with the European Commission’s political agenda:

• The Circular Economy Action Plan defines the “need for safe and non-toxic material cycles”
• The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability proposes new orientations for an EU chemicals policy. This includes banning the most harmful substances and especially PFAS unless proven essential.
• The EU action plan “Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil” ambitions to create a toxic-free environment, prioritising the reduction of chemical emissions including PFAS
• 8^th Environmental Action Programme (EAP): EU’s aim to ensure that by 2050, people live well, within planetary boundaries in a well-being economy where nothing is wasted, growth is regenerative, climate neutrality in the Union has been achieved and inequalities have been significantly reduced

Expertise at RDC Environment

Also at RDC Environment we work on the topic of PFAS. A recent study investigated the potential of certain public policies with the aim to support the development of safer alternatives for PFAS. The link to this study can be found here.

In another ongoing study, the development of an (intra-federal) funding mechanism to adress PFAS contamination is being investigated. Keep an eye out on our website if you want to see the results of this study in the future!