Despite efforts at EU and national level, the amount of waste generated is not going down. Annual waste generation from all economic activities in the EU amounts to 2.5 billion tonnes, or 5 tonnes per capita a year, and each citizen produces on average nearly half a tonne of municipal waste. The decoupling of waste generation from economic growth will require considerable effort across the whole value chain and in every home.

Rolling out the sustainable product policy and translating it into specific legislation will be key to making progress on waste prevention. In addition, we need to build on, further strengthen and better implement EU waste laws.

EU waste laws have driven major improvements in waste management since the 1970s, supported by EU funds. However, they need to be modernised on an ongoing basis to make them fit for the circular economy and the digital age. Revision of EU legislation on batteries, packaging, end-of-life vehicles, and hazardous substances in electronic equipment will be proposed with a view to preventing waste, increasing recycled content, promoting safer and cleaner waste streams, and ensuring high-quality recycling.

In addition, the Commission will put forward waste reduction targets for specific streams as part of a broader set of measures on waste prevention in the context of a review of Directive 2008/98/EC. The Commission will also enhance the implementation of the recently adopted requirements for extended producer responsibility schemes, provide incentives and encourage sharing of information and good practices in waste recycling. All this shall serve the objective to significantly reduce total waste generation and halve the amount of residual (non-recycled) municipal waste by 2030.

High quality recycling relies on effective separate collection of waste.  To help citizens, businesses and public authorities better separate waste, the Commission will propose to harmonise separate waste collection systems. In particular, this proposal will address the most effective combinations of separate collection models, the density and accessibility of separate collection points, including in public spaces, taking account of regional and local conditions ranging from urban to outermost regions. Other aspects that facilitate consumer involvement will also be considered, such as common bin colours, harmonised symbols for key waste types, product labels, information campaigns and economic instruments. It would also seek standardisation and the use of quality management systems to assure the quality of the collected waste destined for use in products, and in particular as food contact material.

Additional efforts are necessary to support the Member States in waste management. Half of them are at risk of non-compliance with the 2020 target to recycle 50% of municipal waste. To drive policy reforms, the Commission will organise high-level exchanges on the circular economy and waste and step up cooperation with Member States, regions and cities in making the best use of EU funds. Where necessary, the Commission will also use its enforcement powers.

Source: European Commission

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