Legal framework for waste reduction at European level
Waste management in Europe today is largely influenced by a series of European regulations that are based on a waste management hierarchy which favours prevention at source. The revision of the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC which entered into force in December 2008 has consolidated the primary role of waste prevention. Member States must bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this revised Directive by 12 December 2010.
More information: Waste: revision of the Framework Directive (repeal. Directives 75/439/EEC, 91/689/EEC and 2006/12/EC)
In keeping with this hierarchy, the European Week for Waste Reduction aims to raise awareness more specifically on the act of preventing the production of waste prior to waste collection.
The Waste Management hierarchy : the revised Directive has laid down a five-step hierarchy of waste management options which must be applied by Member States when developing their national waste policies :
- Waste prevention
- Preparing for re-use
- Recycling
- Recovery (including energy recovery)
- Safe disposal, as a last resort