Waste & Emissions Waste accounted for 1.6 per cent of GHG emissions in 2009. Government policy in relation to waste management is grounded in the recognised hierarchy of waste options and EU waste management law. Landfill The Government reported to the IPPC in 2006 that compliance with Directive 1999/31 on landfill would result in an average annual saving of GHG of 06 percent. Methane emissions […]
Port facilities for waste from ships, including cargo residues Directive (EU) 2019/883 – port reception facilities for the delivery of waste from ships It aims to protect the marine environment from the negative effects of waste from ships using European Union (EU) ports, by improving port reception facilities for waste from ships. Fees Under the new rules, ships will pay an indirect fee to cover […]
Management of waste from extractive industries The European Union has introduced measures to prevent or minimise any adverse effects on the environment and health arising from the management of waste from extractive industries. Directive 2006/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the management of waste from extractive industries and amending Directive 2004/35/EC – Statement by the European Parliament, […]
EU waste management law Directive 2008/98/EC on waste It establishes a legal framework for treating waste in the EU. This is designed to protect the environment and human health by emphasising the importance of proper waste management, recovery and recycling techniques to reduce pressure on resources and improve their use. Key Points The legislation establishes a waste hierarchy: prevention, re-use, recycling, recovery for other purposes […]
Making the most of waste electrical and electronic equipment Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) It aims to protect the environment and human health by encouraging sustainable production and consumption. It does so by: preventing the creation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)*; promoting reuse, recycling and other ways of recovering waste from electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)*; supporting the efficient […]
Reducing the consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags in the EU Existing European Union legislation on packaging waste does not contain specific measures for lightweight plastic carrier bags. These can have a harmful impact on the environment and their consumption needs to be reduced. Directive (EU) 2015/720 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2015 amending Directive 94/62/EC as regards reducing […]
Packaging and packaging waste Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste Directive (EU) 2018/852 amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste Directive 94/62/EC sets out the EU’s rules on managing packaging and packaging waste. Directive (EU) 2018/852 amends Directive 94/62/EC and contains updated measures designed to: prevent the production of packaging waste, and promote the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovering of packaging […]
Overview of Waste There are common EU rules on treatment and dealing with waste. The aims are to protect the environment and health and prevent the harmful effects of waste generation and management. Member states must take measures for the treatment of waste in accordance with the hierarchy of priority. Prevention; Preparing for reuse; Recycling; Recovery; Disposal. Waste Permits Member states must prohibit the abandonment, […]
WEEE The so-called WEEE directives deal with waste electrical and electronic equipment. The directive applies to: Large and small household appliances; IT and telecommunications equipment; Consumer equipment; Lighting equipment; Toys, leisure, and sports equipment; Electronic and electrical tools; Medical devices; Automatic dispensers; Monitoring and controlling instruments. Member states must minimise the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment as unsorted municipal waste. They must set […]