EU Thematic Strategy on Prevention and Recycling of Waste (COM (2005) 666)
The EU have published their Thematic Strategy for Waste. The strategy is one of a number of thematic strategies that will shape the future of European Environmental Policy (see Appendix 13).
One of the most significant proposals in the strategy is a proposal to review the Waste Framework Directive (75/442/EEC). The directive currently gives rise to many problems including a lack of legal certainty concerning definition of waste and the distinction between recovery and disposal. Other proposals in the Strategy that will change the future of waste legislation include:
- Amendment to the hazardous waste and waste oils directive
- Clarify and extend scope of IPPC Directive to additional waste management
- Adoption of a first set of quality standards for defining when waste flows cease to be waste
- Nationwide waste minimisation plans
- Introducing life cycle analysis into policy thinking
UK Waste Strategy
The UK Waste Strategy was published in May 2007 and sets out the future of waste legislation in the UK.
Government’s goal is to decouple waste growth in all sectors from economic growth. The overall objective is less waste, more reuse and recycling and energy from waste, and less to landfill (“the waste hierarchy”). This will bring about environmental and economic benefits.
A summary of the strategy is available on the EEF website.