Union without secrets

The European Union is facing major changes in waste management in the coming years. Will the ambitious plans be realised?

On the evening of 5 October, the European Union and 10 countries handed over the instruments of ratification. The formal requirements have been met. The climate agreement will enter into force on 4 November 2016, just in time for the Marrakech climate summit. The dot over the 'i' was, of course, put by the European Union. A total of 73 countries and the European Union, collectively responsible for 58.82% of global greenhouse gas emissions, have ratified the agreement....

In order to make the best use of the potential of recycling, numerous regulations have been drawn up, specifying how to deal with certain situations. However, it is important to bear in mind that, as industry evolves, so too should the rules. Recycling is no different. Next year we are facing major changes in the area of packaging waste. What...

The European Parliament voted on Tuesday (14.03) in favour of legislation to achieve an EU-wide recycling rate for packaging waste of 70% by 2030. The draft initially included a ceiling of 80% and interim targets for individual materials (i.e. glass, plastic, metal, etc.) with a cut-off date set for 2025. EP members also supported the plan,...

The 2008 Waste Framework Directive sets out the basic principles and definitions related to waste management in the EU. It clarifies when waste loses its status as waste and becomes a raw material to be recycled. It also clarifies a number of elementary principles of waste management, including, above all, that it should take place in conditions that do not endanger human health and life and without harming...