ESA Welcomes Confirmation of Waste Definitions in draft Waste Framework Directive

ESA has welcomed confirmation by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee in the proposed Waste Framework Directive of the existing definition of waste.

ESA argued successfully that any weakening of the definition of wastes as by-product could lead to harmful materials being completely uncontrolled, creating risk for the environment and human health.

ESA Chief Executive, Mr Dirk Hazell, said:
“There is still work to do to get this new Directive absolutely right but we welcome retention of the current definition of waste, which is backed up by a substantial body of case law in the European Court of Justice. This definition has stood the test of time as protecting the environment and human health, our sector’s vocation.

We also welcome the greater clarity the Committee has given on when wastes become recycled materials: this should help to build strong European markets for recycled materials in a way that is safe and protects the environment.”