EU waste and resource policies Andreas Versmann European Commission – DG Environment Zero waste – February 2009
The General Problem: Lack of Sustainability SourceSink Extraction of natural resources Disposal Production and Consumption Threats to ecosystem services
ONLY ONE EARTH World Footprint = 1.3 earths EU = 2.5 US = 5
25 years Negative impact GDP resource demand decoupling growth from environmental impact The EU Resources Strategy
Disposal Design Manufacturing Distribution Use Collection Reuse, Recycling, Recovery Natural Resources Waste & Recycling SCP: Smarter Consumption SCP: Leaner Production SCP: Better Products Natural Resources The Approach: Life-Cycle Thinking
The Waste Hierarchy Waste Framework Directive: Order of priorities Best environmental outcome Life-cycle thinking Moving waste management up the hierarchy Prevention Recycling Recovery Disposal Re-use
Ensuring protection of health/environment from waste disposal Directives on Landfills and Incinerators Technical standards for landfills and incinerators Waste acceptance control Diversion of biodegradable waste from landfills Waste Framework Directive Waste management plans of Member States to ensure a sufficient network of waste disposal installations
Recovery and recycling of waste Moving towards a recycling society Recycling - Directives on WEEE End-of-life vehicles Packaging Waste Framework Directive Recycling of 50% paper, metal, plastic, glass from household + option for more fractions Recycling (and backfilling) of 70% construction & demolition waste Review 2014 Separate collection to improve recovery and promote high quality recycling Bio-waste: impact assessment in 2009 Promoting waste-to-energy
Recycling, incineration and landfilling of municipal solid wastes in Europe Source: EEA, 2007.
Waste Framework Directive new requirements concerning prevention: MS to establish waste prevention programmes; Programmes to set out prevention objectives, describe prevention measures, determine qualitative and quantitative benchmarks or targets for waste prevention; Indicators to be developed by the Commission; Commission to create a system for sharing information on best practice regarding waste prevention and develop guidelines for Member States; 2014: Commission to propose waste prevention and decoupling objectives by 2020, if appropriate New dimension of waste prevention policy
SCP Action Plan – Product Focus Eco-design Directive Energy Labelling Directive Eco-label Dynamic framework for continuous improvement; widening of product scope Next Steps for EU Waste and Resources Policies
SCP Action Plan – Consumption Focus Retailer Forum Greening the supply chain Code of conduct Green Public Procurement Increase GPP to 50% of public procurement Next Steps for EU Waste and Resources Policies
Waste Hierarchy: turning environmental impacts into opportunities for a green economy ! Prevention Reuse Recycle Recovery Disposal
The EU is taking action Towards a recycling society Towards an energy and resource efficient economy Towards better products, leaner production and smarter consumption
European Commission