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Waste Framework Directive and Thematic Strategy on Waste and Recycling
October 2005
The European Commission has launched the inter-service consultation on the Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste. A draft Commission proposal for a Directive on Waste has also been published.
Waste Framework Directive
A number of changes to the existing Waste Framework Directive are proposed, including:
introduction of an environmental objective
clarification of the notions of recovery and disposal
clarification of the conditions for the mixing of hazardous waste
introduction of a procedure to clarify when a waste ceases to be a waste for selected waste streams
introduction of minimum standards or a procedure to establish minimum standards for a number of waste management operations
introduction of a requirement to develop national waste prevention programmes
Thematic Strategy on prevention and recycling of waste
The Thematic Strategy on prevention and recycling of waste proposes to move Europe towards a recycling society. The strategy proposes to:
1. resolve existing difficulties with the current definition of waste by establishing criteria for certain waste streams based on potential economic and environmental benefit;
2. to amend the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) which will base the definition of recovery on the notion of substitution of resources in the economy rather than the specific plant (e.g. use of efficiency thresholds to classify municipal waste incineration as recovery or disposal);
3. set minimum standards for recycling activities and recycling materials
4. promote more ambitious waste prevention policies;
5. place renewed emphasis on the full implementation of existing legislation; and
6. introduce life-cycle thinking in waste policy.
Relevant documents
Government view of Waste Framework Directive and Thematic Strategy
Draft Commission Proposal for a Directive on Waste
Waste Framework Directive – list of proposed changes Draft Communication of the Commission on the Thematic
Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste
Legislative financial statement on the Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste
Impact assessment on the Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste
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