# Presentation: 214578

##  EUROPE

- presented by
**Greg O’Connor**
- SCE ETT Leader & Coordinator
- Commercial Counselor, Prague, Czech Republic

-  **EUROPE**

- Trade Winds Conference
- Arlington, Virginia
- May 15, 2007

## Europe Waste Situation

- _EU waste generation each year_: 1.3 bil. tons, that is 3.5 tons of solid waste per person
- + 700 mln.tons of agricultural waste
- _Waste handling_: 67% is burned in incinerators or landfilled – potential threat to environment
- _OECD estimates for future_: EU will be generating 45% more waste by 2020 than it did in 1995.
- _Issue_: Need to decouple waste generation
- from economic activity

**Notes:**
As European society has grown wealthier it has created more and more rubbish. Each year in the European Union alone we throw away 1.3 billion tonnes of waste - some 40 million tonnes of it hazardous.  This amounts to about 3.5 tonnes of solid waste for every man, woman and child, according to European Environment Agency statistics. Add to this total a further 700 million tonnes of agricultural waste, and it is clear that treating and disposing of all this material - without harming the environment - becomes a major headache.
Most of what we throw away is either burnt in incinerators, or dumped into landfill sites (67%). But both these methods create environmental damage. Landfilling not only takes up more and more valuable land space, it also causes air, water and soil pollution, discharging carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) into the atmosphere and chemicals and pesticides into the earth and groundwater. This, in turn, is harmful to human health, as well as to plants and animals.
By 2020, the OECD estimates, we could be generating 45% more waste than we did in 1995. Obviously we must reverse this trend if we are to avoid being submerged in rubbish. But the picture is not all gloomy. The EU's Sixth Environment Action Programme identifies waste prevention and management as one of four top priorities. Its primary objective is to decouple waste generation from economic activity, so that EU growth will no longer lead to more and more rubbish, and there are signs that this is beginning to happen. In Germany and the Netherlands, for example, municipal waste generation fell during the 1990s.

## Municipal & Industrial Wastes

-    _Municipal_:14 percent of total (60 percent - biodegradable)
-    *Table 1*: Municipal waste generation in WE & CEE
-    _Industrial_: Production of basic metals, food, beverage
-     and tobacco products, wood, paper, continued rise
-     of volume is a problem

**Notes:**
Page 5, there are new targets set by the EU: the target set up by the 6th Environmental Action Program is to reduce the quantity of waste going to final disposal by around 20% on 2000 levels by 2010 and in the order of 50% by 2050. The EU has the objective to become a "recycling society" :-) 

The generation of municipal waste per capita in Western Europe countries continues to grow while remaining stable in CEE countries. The EU target to reduce municipal waste generation to 300kg/per capita by 2000 was not achieved. No new targets have been set. Whether decrease in CEE is due to different consumption patterns or underdeveloped municipal waste collection and disposal systems need further clarification. 

Municipal waste is generated by households, commercial activities and other sources whose activities are similar to those of households and commercial enterprises. It does not include other waste arising e.g., from mining, industrial or construction and demolition processes. 
Content: Municipal waste is made up to residual waste, bulky waste, secondary materials from separate collection (e.g., paper and glass), household hazardous waste, street sweepings and litter collections. It is made up of materials such as paper, cardboard, metals, textiles, organics (food and garden waste) and wood. Figure 1 highlights the typical composition of municipal waste. As can be seen, the largest fraction is paper and cardboard at 35% of the waste stream, followed by organic material at 25%. 
Quantity: Municipal waste represents approximately 14% of all waste generated. 
Management Routes: Municipal waste has traditionally been landfilled and this remains the predominant management option in most countries. However, some countries have taken significant steps away from landfill. Alternatives offered include incineration (increasingly with recovery of energy), composting and recycling of glass, paper, metal, plastics and other materials. 
Environmental Relevance: There are numerous potential impacts associated with the landfilling of waste including the production of leachate and landfill gas, odors, flies, vermin and the use of land. 

Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) is waste from households and commercial activities that is capable of undergoing biological decomposition. Food waste and garden waste, paper and cardboard are all classified as biodegradable municipal waste.   
Quantity: Approximately 60% of municipal waste is biodegradable. In 1995, approximately 107 million tons of biodegradable municipal waste was produced in EU plus Norway of which 66 percent is consigned to landfill.  
Management routes: A range of options are used to treat BMW. Alternatives to landfill include composting, mechanical-biological pre-treatment recycling and incineration (with and without energy recovery). As can be seen from the figure below, those countries and regions such as Denmark, The Netherlands, Flanders and Austria, which have a low reliance on landfill, employ a mixture of incineration, composting and recycling to treat BMW.   

Environmental relevance
Potential impacts associated with landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste include the production of leachate and landfill gas, odors, flies and vermin. In response to these concerns, the Landfill Directive (Council Directive 1999/31/EC), amongst other things, places targets for the reduction in the proportion of biodegradable municipal waste that may be consigned to landfill. By 2006 Member States are restricted to landfilling a maximum of 75% of the total amount by weight of BMW produced in 1995. This target increases to 50% in 2009 and 35% in 2016. To meet these targets, Member States are obliged to set up national strategies to reduce the quantity of biodegradable waste going to landfill. 

Manufacturing industry waste comprises many different waste streams arising from a wide range of industrial processes. Some of the largest waste generating industrial sectors in Western and Central Europe include the production of basic metals, food, beverage and tobacco products, wood and wood products and paper and paper products.
Quantity: It has been estimated that over 33 million tons of industrial waste was generated in Europe in 1998. Waste from the manufacturing sector continues to rise, despite national and international declarations to reduce waste from manufacturing industry, to introduce cleaner technologies and other waste minimization initiatives and to work towards manufacturing practices that are sustainable in the long term.Environmental Relevance: The manufacturing industry has a central role to play in the prevention and reduction of waste as the products that they manufacture today become the wastes of tomorrow. Manufacturers can achieve this by: 
considering the impacts of their products throughout its life at the design stage of the product; 
using manufacturing processes that minimize material and energy usage; 
eliminating or reducing where possible the use of substances or materials hazardous to health or the environment; and 
manufacturing products in such a way that they last longer and may be recycled or reused at the end-of-life stage. 
EU and government policy across Europe is increasingly driven by the need to influence manufacturing practices in an effort to decrease the environmental impact of produces during their manufacture, use and end-of-life.

## Construction and Demolition & Hazardous Wastes 

-  _Construction and Demolition_: Approximately 25 per cent  of waste generated in Europe
-  *Table 2*: Contents of construction and demolition wastes

-  _Hazardous_: Approximately 1 per cent of waste
-   generated in Europe

**Notes:**
Hazardous waste arises from a wide range of different sources including households, commercial activities and industry.   
Quantity and content: Hazardous waste represents approximately 1% of all waste generated in Europe. Wastes are classified as being hazardous depending on whether they exhibit particular characteristics. Further details can be found by clicking on the following link: Insert link to definitions section.   
Management routes: The main disposal route for hazardous waste is landfill, incineration and physical or chemical treatment. On the recovery side, a significant proportion of hazardous waste is recycled or burned as a fuel.    
Environmental relevance: Although hazardous waste represents only approximately 1% of all waste generated in Europe, it can present a potential risk to both human health and the environment. Hazardous waste is typically the subject of special legislation and requires special management arrangements to ensure that hazardous waste is kept separate from and treated differently to non-hazardous waste.

Construction and demolition waste is made up of two individual components: construction waste and demolition waste. It arises from activities such as the construction of buildings and civil infrastructure, total or partial demolition of buildings and civil infrastructure, road planning and maintenance. In some countries even materials from land leveling are regarded as construction and demolition waste.   
Quantity and content: Construction and demolition waste makes up approximately 25% of all waste generated in the EU with a large proportion arising from the demolition and renovation of old buildings. It is made up of numerous materials including concrete, bricks, wood, glass, metals, plastic, solvents, asbestos and excavated soil, many of which can be recycled in one way or another.   
Management routes: The main methods used to treat and dispose of construction and demolition waste include landfill, incineration and recycling with some countries obtaining recycling rates as high as 80%. 
Environmental relevance: Construction activity is seen as a key indicator of growth and prosperity in Western countries. However, construction and demolition waste instead of being a burden on society and the environment, can become a resource to be recycled and reused within the construction industry.  
Construction and demolition waste has been identified as a priority waste stream by the European Union. This means that particular attention will be paid to policies and measures to ensure increased recycling of construction and demolition waste. Due to the very large volume of construction and demolition waste produced, it can use up valuable space in landfills. In addition, if not separated at source it can contain small amounts of hazardous waste. However, it also has a high resource value and the technology for the separation and recovery of construction and demolition waste is well established, readily accessible and in general inexpensive. Most importantly, there is a reuse market for aggregates derived from construction and demolition waste in roads, drainage and other construction projects. 

## Mining Waste & Waste from Electrical and Electronic Eq.

-   _Mining_: Single biggest waste stream – 29 per cent
-    of waste generated in Europe
-   Major problems: 1/ large volume, 2/ potential for
-    presence of hazardous substances
-   _Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE_):
-    One of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU,
-    approximately 4 per cent of municipal waste, expected
-    growth rate is between 3 and 5 per cent each year
-   *Legislation*: WEEE and RoHS - Directives propose that
-    manufacturers will be responsible for taking back and
-    recycling EEE, this to serve as an incentive for industry to
-    design EEE in a more environmental friendly way
-   Batteries directive derived from the same model

**Notes:**
Mining waste arises from prospecting, extraction, treatment and storage of minerals.   
Quantity and content: Mining and quarrying activities give rise to the single biggest waste stream at 29% of the total quantity of waste generated in EEA countries. It has been shown that approximately 50% of the material extracted during extraction and mining activities in Europe becomes waste. It is made up of topsoil, overburden, waste rock, waste from the processing of the ore body (tailings) which may also include process water, process chemicals and portions of the remaining materials.  
Environmental relevance: The two major concerns in relation to mining waste are the large volumes that are produced as well as the potential for hazardous substances to be present in the waste stream. Large areas of land are used for depositing mining waste and this activity has the potential to cause environmental pollution if not properly controlled. A number of recent cases of uncontrolled releases of mining waste to surface waters (rivers and lakes) have highlighted the risks of poor mining waste management. In response, the EU has proposed initiatives that are designed to improve mining waste management.   

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (commonly referred to as WEEE) consists of end of life products and comprises of a range of electrical and electronic items such as: Refrigerators, IT and telecommunication equipment, Freezers, Electrical and electronic tools, Washing machines, Medical equipment Toasters, Monitoring and control instruments, Hairdryers, Automatic dispensers, Televisions, etc. 
Thus, sources are all users of electrical and electronic equipment from householders to all kinds of commercial and industrial activities. 
Quantity and content: WEEE is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the European Union and makes up approximately 4% of municipal waste.An estimate of the composition of WEEE arising is shown in Figure 4. As can be seen, iron and steel are the most common materials found in electrical and electronic equipment and account for almost half of the total weight of WEEE. Plastics are the second largest component by weight representing approximately 21% of WEEE. Non-ferrous metals including precious metals represent approximately 13% of the total weight of WEEE and glass around 5%.   
Expected growth rates are between 3 and 5% each year. This means that in five years time, 16-28% more WEEE will be generated and in 12 years the amount is expected to double. This rapid growth rate is due to the fast pace of technological development, especially in information technology (IT) which have resulted in the more frequent replacement of electrical and electronic equipment by industry. 
Management Routes: At present, a large proportion of WEEE is disposed of in landfills or incineration plants, depending on local or national practices. In some countries and regions, products such as fridges and freezers are separately collected and sent to recycling plants for dismantling and recycling.  
Environmental relevance: WEEE has been identified as a priority waste stream by the European Commission due to its potentially hazardous nature, the consumption of resources in its manufacture and its expected growth rates. In response, the European Commission has prepared legislation in the form of the following two Directives:  
A Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE); and 
A Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment. 
The European Commission is also preparing legislation in the form of the following draft Directive: 
A Directive on the Environmental Impact of Electrical and Electronic Equipment. 
The directives propose that manufacturers will become responsible for taking back and recycling electrical and electronic equipment. This will in turn provide industry with incentives to design electrical and electronic equipment in an environmentally more efficient way, taking waste management issues into consideration. 
 directive on batteries which is done on the same model: producer's responsibility for tacking-back and recycling waste, high recycling rates, ban on dangerous substances and landfill as the last waste management option. These are good examples of how legislation could drive the market as there will certainly be opportunities for recycling in these "niche" markets. 

## End of Life Vehicles (ELV) & Agricultural Waste

-    _End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV_): In 2000, 13.4 million cars were scrapped in the EU, the projected increase is 21 per cent by 2015 to 17 million
-    *Directive on end of life vehicles (2000/53/EC):* implementation date was April 2002, focus on waste prevention and provisions for recycling ELVs, producer responsibility
-    _Agricultural Wastes_: no solid statistics
-    Composting, etc.

**Notes:**
End-of-life vehicles are defined as cars that hold up to a maximum of eight passengers in addition to the driver, and trucks and lorries that are used to carry goods up to a maximum mass of 3.5 tons. Thus their sources range from households to commercial and industrial uses.    
Quantity, content and management routes: In the year 2000, 13.4 million cars were scrapped in the EU. This is projected to increase by 21% by 2015 to 17 million. Cars are composed of numerous different materials. Approximately 75% of the weight of a car is made up of steel and aluminum, most of which is recycled. Other materials present include lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, in addition to other dangerous substances including anti-freeze, brake fluid and oils that, if not properly managed, may cause significant environmental pollution. The remainder is composed of plastic which is recycled, incinerated or landfilled.  
Environmental relevance: The EU introduced a directive on end of life vehicles (2000/53/EC) which had an implementation date of April 2002. The Directive's main focus is on waste prevention. It also contains provisions on recycling ELVs, producer responsibility, reduced use of hazardous substances and increased use of recycled materials in vehicle manufacture. Progressive targets are set out for ELV recycling. The Directive introduces provisions for the collection of all ELVs, with a requirement for ELVs to be transferred to authorized treatment facilities. 

Agricultural waste is composed of organic wastes (animal excreta in the form of slurries and farmyard manures, spent mushroom compost, soiled water and silage effluent) and waste such as plastic, scrap machinery, fencing, pesticides, waste oils and veterinary medicines.    
Quantity: No overall estimates are available on the quantity of agricultural waste produced in the EU. Ireland has estimated that in 1998 over 80% of national waste arising were from agricultural sources.   
Management routes: There are a number of methods used to treat agricultural waste. These include spreading the waste on land under strict conditions, anaerobic digestion and composting.   
Environmental relevance: There are a number of potential environmental impacts associated with agricultural waste if it is not properly managed not least of which is the run-off of nutrients to surface waters which can cause over enrichment of the water body. Leaking and improper storage of agricultural waste can also pose a serious threat to the environment should the waste reach surface waters. In addition, farming activities can give rise to emissions of ammonia and methane which can cause acidification and contribute to greenhouse gases emissions. 

## Packaging Waste

-    Up to 17 per cent of the municipal waste stream

-  *Table 3*: Ways for treatment of packaging waste in EU

**Notes:**
Source: Packaging is defined as any material which is used to contain, protect, handle, deliver and present goods. Items like glass bottles, plastic containers, aluminum cans, food wrappers, timber pallets and drums are all classified as packaging. Packaging waste can arise from a wide range of sources including supermarkets, retail outlets, manufacturing industries, households, hotels, hospitals, restaurants and transport companies.   
Quantity: Packaging waste represents up to 17% of the municipal waste stream. As it has a relatively short life, it soon becomes a waste that must be treated or disposed off.   
Management routes: A number of different methods are used to manage packaging waste. These included reuse, recycling (mechanical, chemical and feedstock), composting, thermal treatment and landfill. In 1998, approximately 50 percent of packaging waste was recycled in 12 EU countries with an additional 9% reported as being recovered (i.e, waste to energy). The remaining 41 percent of packaging waste was landfilled.  
Environmental relevance: Packaging and packaging waste can have a number of impacts on the environment. Some of these impacts can be associated with the extraction of the raw materials used for manufacturing the packaging itself, impacts associated with the manufacturing processes, the collection of packaging waste and its subsequent treatment or disposal. In addition packaging may contain some critical substances e.g., PVC and heavy metals which may pose a risk to the environment. 

## Waste Treatment Methods 

**Landfill**: number one treatment method in most EU countries to date. Directive 99/31/EC aims to prevent and reduce negative effects on the environment from landfilling and introduces stringent technical requirements for waste and landfills
**Incineration**: EU Incineration Directive (2000/76/EC), focuses on incineration with energy recovery in new incinerators
**Re-use & Recycling**: number one preference

**Notes:**
European Union in 1999 – 71 percent of municipal waste landfilled, 18 incinerated 
Landfill
Landfills are tried, tested and relatively cheap. Gas generated during decay can be used to generate electricity. They can however be a waste of useful resources and produce liquid and gas that have to be managed long-term. Noise, odors, dust and lorry movements are all unpopular with neighbors. The composition of the landfilled waste appears to be changing as the inert/construction and demolition waste is growing while the biodegradable and hazardous waste decline. 
The amount of waste going for some form of treatment has increased significantly, up by 45% since 2000-1. In 2002-3 material recovery had almost doubled its 2000-1 level; physical and chemical treatment was up by 50% and composting was up by 22%. Composting removes the need for landfill or incineration. It saves natural resources and reduces greenhouse emissions. Planning approval for composting sites can be a difficulty as they are unpopular with communities. Close to a tenth of England's waste is incinerated. That contrasts with much greater use of incineration in Europe. Incineration reduces the need for landfill. 'Energy from waste' facilities use heat energy that is generated to power and heat buildings, reclaiming some benefit from binned resources. Gaining planning permission for new facilities is problematic as plant emissions and traffic movements are unpopular with the public.
In the past hazardous and non-hazardous were co-disposed into landfills. Mixing wastes has the potential for different types of waste to react with each other and could cause long-term damage to the environment. New legislation has meant that it is no longer possible to dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. These tighter controls will help to reduce risks to human health and the environment. Waste management and disposal have improved over the past 25 years as a result of better regulation and from the waste management industry's positive response to this regulation. We regulate waste management through a system of licenses and register and monitor people who transport waste. The emphasis is now on managing in a more sustainable way, conserving raw materials but still protecting human health and the environment

Council Directive 99/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste entered into force on 16.07.1999.  The deadline for implementation of the legislation in the Member States was 16.07.2001.
The objective of the Directive is to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment from the landfilling of waste, by introducing stringent technical requirements for waste and landfills.
The Directive is intended to prevent or reduce the adverse effects of the landfill of waste on the environment, in particular on surface water, groundwater, soil, air and human health.
It defines the different categories of waste (municipal waste, hazardous waste, non-hazardous waste and inert waste) and applies to all landfills, defined as waste disposal sites for the deposit of waste onto or into land. Landfills are divided into three classes:
landfills for hazardous waste; 
landfills for non-hazardous waste; 
landfills for inert waste. 
The Directive does not apply to:
the spreading on the soil of sludge's (including sewage sludge and sludges resulting from dredging operations); 
the use in landfills of inert waste for redevelopment or restoration work; 
the deposit of unpolluted soil or of non-hazardous inert waste resulting from prospecting and extraction, treatment and storage of mineral resources as well as from the operation of quarries; 
the deposit of non-hazardous dredging sludge alongside small waterways from which they have been dredged and of non-hazardous sludge in surface water, including the bed and its subsoil. 
A standard waste acceptance procedure is laid down so as to avoid any risks:
waste must be treated before being landfilled; 
hazardous waste within the meaning of the Directive must be assigned to a hazardous waste landfill; 
landfills for non-hazardous waste must be used for municipal waste and for non-hazardous waste; 
landfill sites for inert waste must be used only for inert waste; 
criteria for the acceptance of waste at each landfill class must be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the general principles of Annex II. 
The following wastes may not be accepted in a landfill:
liquid waste; 
flammable waste; 
explosive or oxidising waste; 
hospital and other clinical waste which is infectious; 
used tires, with certain exceptions; 
any other type of waste which does not meet the acceptance criteria laid down in Annex II. 
The Directive sets up a system of operating permits for landfill sites. Applications for permits must contain the following information:
the identity of the applicant and, in some cases, of the operator; 
a description of the types and total quantity of waste to be deposited; 
the capacity of the disposal site; 
a description of the site; 
the proposed methods for pollution prevention and abatement; 
the proposed operation, monitoring and control plan; 
the plan for closure and aftercare procedures; 
the applicant's financial security; 
an impact assessment study, where required under Council Directive 85/337/EEC on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. 
Member States must ensure that existing landfill sites may not continue to operate unless they comply with the provisions of the Directive as soon as possible.
Member States must report to the Commission every three years on the implementation of the Directive.
On the basis of these reports, the Commission must publish a Community report on the implementation of the Directive.  
Legislation
Summary of EU Waste Legislation on Landfill
Directive 99/31/EC on landfill of wasteAncillary legislation relating to landfill of waste:- Commission Decision 2000/738/EC concerning a questionnaire for Member States reports on the implementation of Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste 
Proposal for a Decision on acceptance criteria, COM(2002) 512 
COUNCIL DECISION of 19 December 2002 establishing criteria and procedures for the acceptance of waste at landfills pursuant to Article 16 of and Annex II to Directive 1999/31/EC (2003/33/EC)                      
Information on islands and isolated settlements exempted by Member States under Article 3(4) of the Landfill Directive
Pursuant to Article 3(4) of the Landfill Directive Member States may declare, at their own option, parts or all of Articles 6d), 7i), 8a)iv), 10, 11 1) a), b) and c), 12a) and c), Annex I, points 3 and 4, Annex II except point 3, level 3, and point 4) and Annex III, points 3 to 5 to this Directive not applicable to:
A) landfill sites for non-hazardous or inert wastes with a total capacity not exceeding 15 000 tons or with an annual intake not exceeding 1 000 tons serving islands, where this is the only landfill on the island and where this is exclusively destined for the disposal of waste generated on that island. Once the total capacity of that landfill has been used, any new landfill established on the island shall comply with the requirements of this Directive;
B) landfill sites for non-hazardous waste or inert waste in isolated settlements if the landfill is destined for the disposal of waste generated only by that isolated settlement.
By 16 July 2003 Member States had to notify the Commission of the list of islands and isolated settlements that are exempted. The Commission shall publish the list of islands and isolated settlements.

The general
opinion seemed to be that most national and regional authorities are taking
seriously the 2007 deadline for upgrading and closing down existing landfills,
in line with the Directive. Furthermore, the Directive is perceived to have a
general positive role in aspects to do with the direct technical management of
the landfill sites and the reduction of environmental impacts of landfilling
activities. It is however apparently not delivering yet in terms of the more
strategic role of upstream steering of waste management towards different
treatment options such as prevention, reuse and recycling which can play an
important role in (further) reduction of the impacts of landfilling activities.
The implementation of the requirement for pre-treatment of all landfilled
waste is an example of where the potential steering effect is not being
harnessed.

## EU Waste Strategy

- The EU is aiming for a significant cut in the amount of rubbish generated, through new waste prevention initiatives, better use of resources, and encouraging a shift to more sustainable consumption patterns.
-    Waste prevention
-    Waste recycling
-    Turning waste into an energy source
-    Optimizing the final disposal of waste,
-     including its transport

**Notes:**
Although the EU has a number of targets and Directives supporting these aims, the data is patchy due to a lack of consistency across the EU. What is abundantly clear, however, is that some of these targets are not being met.
To begin with, a wide range of different waste streams are increasing in volume, from consumers generating too much households waste to more wastewater treatment plants producing larger amounts of sewage sludge. What is more, waste disposal methods are not coping with the increased loads, with several countries increasing the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill. 
Finally - and most importantly - waste generation is still linked to economic activity, meaning that, as Europe’s economy grows, the waste problem will grow with it. 
The European Union's approach to waste management is based on three principles:
Waste prevention:  This is a key factor in any waste management strategy. If we can reduce the amount of waste generated in the first place and reduce its hazardousness by reducing the presence of dangerous substances in products, then disposing of it will automatically become simpler. Waste prevention is closely linked with improving manufacturing methods and influencing consumers to demand greener products and less packaging. 
Recycling and reuse: If waste cannot be prevented, as many of the materials as possible should be recovered, preferably by recycling. The European Commission has defined several specific 'waste streams' for priority attention, the aim being to reduce their overall environmental impact. This includes packaging waste, end-of-life vehicles, batteries, electrical and electronic waste. EU directives now require Member States to introduce legislation on waste collection, reuse, recycling and disposal of these waste streams. Several EU countries are already managing to recycle over 50% of packaging waste. 
Improving final disposal and monitoring: Where possible, waste that cannot be recycled or reused should be safely incinerated, with landfill only used as a last resort. Both these methods need close monitoring because of their potential for causing severe environmental damage. The EU has recently approved a directive setting strict guidelines for landfill management. It bans certain types of waste, such as used tires, and sets targets for reducing quantities of biodegradable rubbish. Another recent directive lays down tough limits on emission levels from incinerators. The Union also wants to reduce emissions of dioxins and acid gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur dioxides (SO2), and hydrogen chlorides (HCL), which can be harmful to human health. 

## Opportunities & Funding 

- Demand for **innovative technologies** – environmental friendly + cost saving
- _Potential Opportunities_: Cleaner production technologies (CP), recycling eq., contaminated sites cleanup, sewage sludge treatment, medical waste treatment, instrumentation and monitoring
- _EU Funds & Tender databases_:
- http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/tender_search.html
- http://www.buyusa.gov/europeanunion/eu_funds.html
- _US companies generally have better chances in European market if the can offer project financing solutions. _

**Notes:**
Non-incineration medical waste treatment technologies in Europe
 . Until recently, incineration was the almost exclusive method of treating hazardous medical waste. In 1994, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Reassessment of 2,3,7,8- Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) and Related Compounds identified medical waste incineration as the single largest source of dioxin air pollution in the United States of America.
In 1997, the EPA promulgated regulations for existing and new incinerators, setting new emission limits. Existing incinerators had to be equipped with additional air pollution control devices to comply with the new legislation requirements. For the vast majority of hospitals and other medical waste incinerator operators however, investing in efficient filters was too expensive and resulted in the closure of more than five thousands medical waste incinerators.
 In 2000, stricter emission limits for medical waste incinerators were introduced in the European Union. This resulted in the closure of many incinerators and an increase in the number of non-incineration facilities for treating infectious medical waste. However, the speed of the introduction of alternative treatments is much slower than in the USA and incineration remains the prevailing method of treating medical waste in Europe.
Although incineration is still widely used, non-incineration technologies are winning increasing support in Europe. Non-incineration technologies (unlike incinerators) do not produce toxic dioxins and their introduction is therefore in accordance with the Stockholm Convention on POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) that entered into force in May 2004.
The problem of pollution caused by the incineration of medical waste has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). In its policy paper entitled Health-care Waste Management (March 2004) WHO states that a long-term goal shall be: Effective, scaledup promotion of non-incineration technologies for the final disposal of health-care wastes to prevent the disease burden from (a) unsafe health-care waste management and (b) exposure to dioxins and furans.
Facilities have to determine which non-incineration technology best meets their needs while minimizing the impact on the environment, enhancing occupational safety and demonstrating a commitment to public health. A resource book entitled Non-Incineration Medical Waste Treatment Technologies in Europe has been produced by Health Care Without Harm and provides general information to assist legislators, hospital administrators, facility managers, health care professionals, environmental advocates and community members towards achieving those goals.
Summary brochures have been published by HCWH and EPHA Environment Network and are available for download in English, French and German.
What I find very difficult is to give trends and identify the most progressive countries and the laggers. Based on common sense, I would say that there is a more mature market in the north, especially in Nordic countries using the latest technologies; western and maybe southern Europe as well established waste management markets; and a growing market in Central and Eastern Europe where waste management infrastructure may be lacking for the moment. But the statistics are difficult to compare. 

## Showcase Europe

- www.buyusa.gov/europe
- Contacts for CS Europe offices, Events in Europe, etc.
- _Europe Environmental Markets Binder 2006_ – one page overview of environmental market in each Europe country, http://www.buyusa.gov/europe/124.html
**US Commercial Service services**:
- _Quicktake Service_ – a service for new to Europe export companies; covers current demand, future demand, competition need for partner, local tastes, technical requirements and next steps
- International Partner Search, Gold Key Service, International Company Profile, Single Company Promotion

## European Show Opportunities

***POLLUTEC 2007***November 27 - 30, 2007; Paris, France
***IFAT 2008 **** *May 5 - 9, 2008; Munich, Germany
***AQUATECH 2008***September 30–October 3, 2007; Amsterdam, Netherlands

## ET Team Major Events

**American Water Works Assoc. Conference & Exhibition**
*June  24 – 28, 2007; Toronto, Canada*
-  Specialists from 10 European countries, Showtime mtgs., international buyers mtgs., Industry Focused Promotion
**ET TM to Bulgaria, Romania & Turkey**
*October 1 – 5, 2007*
* *Pre-scheduled mtgs. with potential agents/representatives, government mtgs., etc.
**ET Team web pages **– www.buyusa.gov/environmental

**Notes:**

Here are a few highlights of these events:

#1)   American Water Works Association - Annual Conference & Exhibition (focus on water/wastewater industry)

* We are expecting 10 Environmental Specialist from Europe to attend this event and to be available for one-to-one, pre-scheduled Showtime meetings with U.S. exhibitors.
* International Buyer meetings will also be available on a pre-scheduled basis.    See our website for profiles of international buyers and U.S. products sought.

#2)  Department of Commerce Environmental Trade Mission to Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey

Expand your company’s environmental product or service into the dynamic markets of Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey.   The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Environmental Trade Mission to these markets October 1-5, 2007 offers a cost-effective way to meet potential business partners and government decision makers in these fast growing markets that include new EU members Bulgaria and Romania.

 While I am sure that you already have plenty to say about the Europe region and will want to highlight the Czech Republic, anything that you can pitch specifically about these markets would be great (below is info off of our TM promotional website for your ease of reference).   Maybe a mention to the successful Enviro TM to the Czech Rep last year with the mention of this follow up one.
Bulgaria and Romania 
Joined the European Union in January 2007 
Bulgaria will invest more than $11.7 billion for water projects alone in order to meet EU accession requirements. 
Best sales prospects for U.S. exporters in Bulgaria:  wastewater and drinking water treatment, recycling and waste utilization, solid and hazardous waste collection, disposal and treatment, and clean production technologies 
Romania plans an estimated $35 billion on upgrading environmental infrastructure to EU standards. 
Best sales prospects for U.S. exporters in Romania: water and wastewater treatment technologies, solid and hazardous waste management and large combustion plant air quality control. 
EU funds are available to support government investments in environmental infrastructure.  Private industry also holds excellent sales potential as they conform to EU environmental standards. 
Almost all the technologies needed for these environmental upgrades will have to be imported.      
Turkey 
Adopted EU consistent environmental regulations in 2006. 
Investing in an estimated $80 billion in environmental infrastructure investment over the next 20 years, with 70% government and 30% private financing. 
Best sales prospects for U.S. exporters: waste management, landfill development, waste-to-energy projects, recycling, industrial cleaning and maintenance, air pollution control, drinking water and wastewater management and treatment

**Mr. Greg O’Connor, *****SCE ET Leader & Coordinator***
**US Commercial Service, US Embassy**
**Trziste 15, 118 01 Praha 1, Czech Republic**

- Email:** Greg.O’Connor @mail.doc.gov**
**www.buyusa.gov/czechrepublic**
** **

- Tel: **+****420 257 022 434**
- Fax: **+****420 257 022 810**