natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
- ensuring monitoring and reporting on re-use activities;
- ensuring monitoring and reporting on re-use activities;
4.6 Towards a European recycling society
4.6 Towards a European recycling society
Underlines the importance of achieving common minimum standards for recovery and recycling at EU level, and stresses that a level playing field will only be established when the use of economic instruments is approximated throughout the EU;
Underlines the importance of achieving common minimum standards for recovery and recycling at EU level, and stresses that a level playing field will only be established when the use of economic instruments is approximated throughout the EU;
Emphasises the importance of source separation of waste, as well as recycling targets and producer responsibility in order to increase the recycling rate of certain waste streams;
Emphasises the importance of source separation of waste, as well as recycling targets and producer responsibility in order to increase the recycling rate of certain waste streams;
Recognises the need for better EU cooperation in managing cross-border waste problems;
Recognises the need for better EU cooperation in managing cross-border waste problems;
Points out that any material-based approach to boost recycling should go hand in hand with a waste stream based approach; calls on the Commission to investigate further the feasibility and economic viability of such a strategy;
Points out that any material-based approach to boost recycling should go hand in hand with a waste stream based approach; calls on the Commission to investigate further the feasibility and economic viability of such a strategy;
Calls once again on the Commission to propose separate directives on biodegradable waste, construction and demolition waste and sewage sludge, as indicated in the 6 th EAP;
Calls once again on the Commission to propose separate directives on biodegradable waste, construction and demolition waste and sewage sludge, as indicated in the 6 th EAP;
Calls on the Commission to follow up on its Green Paper on PVC and propose a separate directive on PVC, given the numerous environmental and health problems over its entire life cycle, in particular when it becomes a waste;
Calls on the Commission to follow up on its Green Paper on PVC and propose a separate directive on PVC, given the numerous environmental and health problems over its entire life cycle, in particular when it becomes a waste;
Calls for the quantities of waste for disposal to be reduced to a minimum; calls on the Commission again to revise the landfill directive, including a timetable:
Calls for the quantities of waste for disposal to be reduced to a minimum; calls on the Commission again to revise the landfill directive, including a timetable:
– from 2010, a ban on landfill of non-pretreated waste with fermentable components;
– from 2010, a ban on landfill of non-pretreated waste with fermentable components;
– from 2015, a ban on landfill of paper, cardboard, glass, textiles, wood, plastics, metals, rubber, cork, pottery, concrete, brick and tiles;
– from 2015, a ban on landfill of paper, cardboard, glass, textiles, wood, plastics, metals, rubber, cork, pottery, concrete, brick and tiles;
– from 2020, a ban on landfill of all recyclable waste;
– from 2020, a ban on landfill of all recyclable waste;
– from 2025, a ban on landfill of all residual waste, except where this is unavoidable or hazardous (e.g. filter ash);
– from 2025, a ban on landfill of all residual waste, except where this is unavoidable or hazardous (e.g. filter ash);
Considers that Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste
Considers that Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste
OJ L 190, 12.7.2006, p.
OJ L 190, 12.7.2006, p.
1. implements legal obligations from the UN Basel Convention and OECD Decisions; supports the prevention of eco-dumping and sham recovery and underlines that an objective of regulating shipments of waste is to enhance the re-use and recycling of waste ensuring a high level of environmental and human health protection;
1. implements legal obligations from the UN Basel Convention and OECD Decisions; supports the prevention of eco-dumping and sham recovery and underlines that an objective of regulating shipments of waste is to enhance the re-use and recycling of waste ensuring a high level of environmental and human health protection;
Emphasises the right of Member States to apply the proximity and self-sufficiency principle in relation to recovery or disposal of mixed municipal waste in order to encourage national planning of waste management and waste incineration capacity;
Emphasises the right of Member States to apply the proximity and self-sufficiency principle in relation to recovery or disposal of mixed municipal waste in order to encourage national planning of waste management and waste incineration capacity;
0 0
0 0
In December 2005 the Commission submitted a Thematic Strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste to the Council and the European Parliament, along with a proposal for revision of the Waste Framework Directive.
In December 2005 the Commission submitted a Thematic Strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste to the Council and the European Parliament, along with a proposal for revision of the Waste Framework Directive.
The strategy stems from the Sixth Environment Action Programme (July 2002) and follows from the Council's conclusions and Parliament's conclusions of April 2004 in response to a communication from the Commission.
The strategy stems from the Sixth Environment Action Programme (July 2002) and follows from the Council's conclusions and Parliament's conclusions of April 2004 in response to a communication from the Commission.
The objective of the strategy is to contribute to achieving efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, with a view to reducing the negative impact of waste on the environment.
The objective of the strategy is to contribute to achieving efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, with a view to reducing the negative impact of waste on the environment.
That is one of the reasons for the simultaneous publication of the strategy on resource use.
That is one of the reasons for the simultaneous publication of the strategy on resource use.
The European Union has been pursuing a policy on waste for more than 30 years.
The European Union has been pursuing a policy on waste for more than 30 years.
The policy was introduced in response to the fact that the problems of waste were becoming increasingly manifest, and the environment and public health were being put at risk by all of the harmful effects associated with the uncontrolled dumping of waste.
The policy was introduced in response to the fact that the problems of waste were becoming increasingly manifest, and the environment and public health were being put at risk by all of the harmful effects associated with the uncontrolled dumping of waste.
That was the crucial reason for developing a policy on waste.
That was the crucial reason for developing a policy on waste.
The most important goal of waste policy has always been the protection of the environment.
The most important goal of waste policy has always been the protection of the environment.
It is very important to keep this concern, the protection of the environment, firmly in mind.
It is very important to keep this concern, the protection of the environment, firmly in mind.
The current situation
The current situation
A great deal has been achieved over the past 30 years.
A great deal has been achieved over the past 30 years.
Many harmful substances have been eliminated from products and therefore no longer end up in waste.
Many harmful substances have been eliminated from products and therefore no longer end up in waste.
More environmentally friendly methods of treating waste have been developed.
More environmentally friendly methods of treating waste have been developed.
It should, however, be pointed out that there are major differences between the Member States as regards the volume of waste re‑used or recycled.
It should, however, be pointed out that there are major differences between the Member States as regards the volume of waste re‑used or recycled.
At the EU level, legislation has been adopted on the export, landfilling and incineration of waste.
At the EU level, legislation has been adopted on the export, landfilling and incineration of waste.
In addition, legislation has been introduced for specific waste streams, such as waste batteries, packaging, cars and electrical equipment.
In addition, legislation has been introduced for specific waste streams, such as waste batteries, packaging, cars and electrical equipment.
It is proving no simple matter to adopt, implement, monitor and enforce legislation relating to so many different waste streams and different treatment methods, applying in 25 different Member States.
It is proving no simple matter to adopt, implement, monitor and enforce legislation relating to so many different waste streams and different treatment methods, applying in 25 different Member States.
Although a great deal has been achieved with regard to legislation and its implementation, the following problems and shortcomings, in particular, exist:
Although a great deal has been achieved with regard to legislation and its implementation, the following problems and shortcomings, in particular, exist:
· The volume of waste is continuing to increase.
· The volume of waste is continuing to increase.
· Too much waste is still being landfilled.
· Too much waste is still being landfilled.
· There is still too little re‑use or recycling of waste.
· There is still too little re‑use or recycling of waste.
· Differences between Member States in terms of progress in (implementing) waste policy are still too numerous and too wide.
· Differences between Member States in terms of progress in (implementing) waste policy are still too numerous and too wide.
· Partly as a consequence of this, illegal and undesirable transport of waste is still a frequent occurrence.
· Partly as a consequence of this, illegal and undesirable transport of waste is still a frequent occurrence.
· There is a continuing debate on the interpretation and implementation of waste policy, including with regard to definitions.
· There is a continuing debate on the interpretation and implementation of waste policy, including with regard to definitions.
· EU legislation on waste is being inadequately implemented and enforced.
· EU legislation on waste is being inadequately implemented and enforced.
In the light of these problems, your rapporteur welcomes the fact that the Commission has finally put forward a proposal for a strategy.
In the light of these problems, your rapporteur welcomes the fact that the Commission has finally put forward a proposal for a strategy.
Regrettably, however, the proposal only addresses the aforementioned problems to a very limited extent.
Regrettably, however, the proposal only addresses the aforementioned problems to a very limited extent.
Few concrete measures are being proposed in the area of prevention and recycling.
Few concrete measures are being proposed in the area of prevention and recycling.
The only concrete proposals put forward have been taken up in the revision of the framework directive.
The only concrete proposals put forward have been taken up in the revision of the framework directive.
Aims of an evolving EU policy on waste
Aims of an evolving EU policy on waste
The main aim of EU waste policy is to protect the environment, not to facilitate the internal market for waste.
The main aim of EU waste policy is to protect the environment, not to facilitate the internal market for waste.
It is, of course, important to eliminate unfair competition on the waste market.
It is, of course, important to eliminate unfair competition on the waste market.
That means that the same environmental conditions must apply to all of the Member States and must be enforced.
That means that the same environmental conditions must apply to all of the Member States and must be enforced.
Despite a history of 30 years of European legislation on waste, we are, regrettably, still a long way from applying the same environmental conditions.
Despite a history of 30 years of European legislation on waste, we are, regrettably, still a long way from applying the same environmental conditions.
In the case of a number of waste streams, no legislation is in place as yet.
In the case of a number of waste streams, no legislation is in place as yet.
In addition, existing legislation is not being implemented and enforced (in the same way) in every Member State.
In addition, existing legislation is not being implemented and enforced (in the same way) in every Member State.
It is therefore very important to pay attention to improving the way in which current EU waste legislation is applied, implemented and enforced.
It is therefore very important to pay attention to improving the way in which current EU waste legislation is applied, implemented and enforced.
It should also be stressed that the precautionary principle, the 'polluter pays' principle, the principle of producer responsibility and the principles of proximity and self‑sufficiency must continue to be fully applied in future EU waste policy.
It should also be stressed that the precautionary principle, the 'polluter pays' principle, the principle of producer responsibility and the principles of proximity and self‑sufficiency must continue to be fully applied in future EU waste policy.
Above all for specific waste streams, the principle of individual producer responsibility can produce positive results, as, for example, in the case of packaging, batteries, cars and electrical equipment.
Above all for specific waste streams, the principle of individual producer responsibility can produce positive results, as, for example, in the case of packaging, batteries, cars and electrical equipment.
The key measures
The key measures
The Commission has proposed a package of measures, which may be divided into four main areas.
The Commission has proposed a package of measures, which may be divided into four main areas.
These measures are set out, and commented on, below:
These measures are set out, and commented on, below:
4.1 Simplification and modernisation of existing legislation
4.1 Simplification and modernisation of existing legislation
The Commission is proposing that a number of definitions be clarified, applied in a different way or interpreted differently.
The Commission is proposing that a number of definitions be clarified, applied in a different way or interpreted differently.
The definitions concerned are those of waste, disposal, recovery and recycling.
The definitions concerned are those of waste, disposal, recovery and recycling.
In practice, it has become apparent that there are various misunderstandings, and some uncertainty, surrounding the definitions used in EU waste policy.
In practice, it has become apparent that there are various misunderstandings, and some uncertainty, surrounding the definitions used in EU waste policy.
The main reason for this is that the situation in practice, involving all kinds of different waste streams and different types of waste handling, is very complex.
The main reason for this is that the situation in practice, involving all kinds of different waste streams and different types of waste handling, is very complex.
Moreover, the waste industry has often insisted on testing the boundaries of European waste legislation in the courts.
Moreover, the waste industry has often insisted on testing the boundaries of European waste legislation in the courts.
This has led to a number of rulings by the European Court of Justice interpreting or clarifying the legislation.
This has led to a number of rulings by the European Court of Justice interpreting or clarifying the legislation.
Generally speaking, the idea is that the Court of Justice only tests cases against current legislation.
Generally speaking, the idea is that the Court of Justice only tests cases against current legislation.
As, however, the current legislation is evidently unclear in places and contains shortcomings, the Court has been stepping to a greater extent into the shoes of the legislature.
As, however, the current legislation is evidently unclear in places and contains shortcomings, the Court has been stepping to a greater extent into the shoes of the legislature.
The task of the legislature (the European Parliament and Council) is now to rectify the problem of the shortcomings and lack of clarity in the legislation.
The task of the legislature (the European Parliament and Council) is now to rectify the problem of the shortcomings and lack of clarity in the legislation.
It is very important, however, to approach this in a well thought‑out way.
It is very important, however, to approach this in a well thought‑out way.
If definitions are changed, this could again lead to a long period of uncertainty and to fresh problems regarding how to interpret the new definitions.
If definitions are changed, this could again lead to a long period of uncertainty and to fresh problems regarding how to interpret the new definitions.
It is therefore better to take the existing definitions as the basis and to only clarify and supplement them where necessary.
It is therefore better to take the existing definitions as the basis and to only clarify and supplement them where necessary.
The complete set of definitions is designed to provide a clear framework for European waste legislation.
The complete set of definitions is designed to provide a clear framework for European waste legislation.
The purpose of amending definitions is absolutely not to deal with problems of image or to get round certain rules on environmental protection laid down in waste legislation.
The purpose of amending definitions is absolutely not to deal with problems of image or to get round certain rules on environmental protection laid down in waste legislation.
Amending the definition of waste in order to classify certain waste streams as products so as to remove the negative 'waste' label attaching to them is not a legitimate reason for introducing such an amendment.
Amending the definition of waste in order to classify certain waste streams as products so as to remove the negative 'waste' label attaching to them is not a legitimate reason for introducing such an amendment.
The same applies to amending the definition of recovery with a view to getting away from the negative image of disposal.
The same applies to amending the definition of recovery with a view to getting away from the negative image of disposal.
Failure to achieve targets for re‑use, recycling and recovery of waste streams under other directives is also not a good reason for amending definitions.
Failure to achieve targets for re‑use, recycling and recovery of waste streams under other directives is also not a good reason for amending definitions.
It should be stressed again that definitions should be amended on grounds of logic, consistency and clarity.
It should be stressed again that definitions should be amended on grounds of logic, consistency and clarity.
If there are problems in connection with targets, it may perhaps be necessary to amend the targets, not, however, the definitions!
If there are problems in connection with targets, it may perhaps be necessary to amend the targets, not, however, the definitions!
4.1.1 Definition of waste
4.1.1 Definition of waste
The Commission is proposing to allow the possibility of classifying waste streams as non‑waste.
The Commission is proposing to allow the possibility of classifying waste streams as non‑waste.
So-called 'end‑of‑waste' criteria have been established to that end.
So-called 'end‑of‑waste' criteria have been established to that end.
However, great care must be exercised in taking this approach.
However, great care must be exercised in taking this approach.
It is important to specify at the outset that this may only apply to a limited number of waste streams.
It is important to specify at the outset that this may only apply to a limited number of waste streams.
That means homogenous waste streams which do not (and cannot) have a negative impact on the environment.
That means homogenous waste streams which do not (and cannot) have a negative impact on the environment.
A further prerequisite is that non‑waste status must not lead to a reduction in environmental protection.
A further prerequisite is that non‑waste status must not lead to a reduction in environmental protection.
Finally, non‑waste status should only be able to be obtained after the waste has undergone treatment which results in a product that meets specific European quality criteria, ensuring that it may be used for the intended purpose in a safe and environmentally responsible way.
Finally, non‑waste status should only be able to be obtained after the waste has undergone treatment which results in a product that meets specific European quality criteria, ensuring that it may be used for the intended purpose in a safe and environmentally responsible way.
Waste streams that may be eligible to be accorded non‑waste status are recycled compost and the inert part of destruction and demolition waste (granulated rubble).
Waste streams that may be eligible to be accorded non‑waste status are recycled compost and the inert part of destruction and demolition waste (granulated rubble).
4.1.2 Definition of disposal and recovery activities
4.1.2 Definition of disposal and recovery activities
The definitions laid down in current legislation, as interpreted by the European Court of Justice, do not tend to promote good environmental practice.
The definitions laid down in current legislation, as interpreted by the European Court of Justice, do not tend to promote good environmental practice.
For example, co- incineration of waste in a cement kiln is deemed by the Court to constitute recovery and incineration of waste in a specialised incineration kiln to constitute disposal, although the environmental standards applying to pollutant emissions are less stringent in the case of co-incineration plants.
For example, co- incineration of waste in a cement kiln is deemed by the Court to constitute recovery and incineration of waste in a specialised incineration kiln to constitute disposal, although the environmental standards applying to pollutant emissions are less stringent in the case of co-incineration plants.
In order to resolve this problem, the Commission is proposing to accord recovery status to incineration plants with high energy efficiency.
In order to resolve this problem, the Commission is proposing to accord recovery status to incineration plants with high energy efficiency.
This approach raises questions, as the incineration of waste is, clearly, designed in particular to dispose of waste.
This approach raises questions, as the incineration of waste is, clearly, designed in particular to dispose of waste.
It would be better to resolve the problem in relation to incineration and co‑incineration plants by imposing the same environmental conditions on both.
It would be better to resolve the problem in relation to incineration and co‑incineration plants by imposing the same environmental conditions on both.
In practice, that may be done by amending the directive on waste incineration in order to apply the same emissions and energy efficiency standards to both incineration and co-incineration plants.
In practice, that may be done by amending the directive on waste incineration in order to apply the same emissions and energy efficiency standards to both incineration and co-incineration plants.
The Commission gives technical committees an important role in determining when waste ceases to be waste or when an activity may be regarded as disposal and when it may be regarded as recovery.
The Commission gives technical committees an important role in determining when waste ceases to be waste or when an activity may be regarded as disposal and when it may be regarded as recovery.