Waste prevention

Topics: Resource efficiency and waste

This page was archived on 15 Mar 2023 with reason: Content is outdated

The Waste Framework Directive (EEC, 1975, revised 2008) set a legal obligation for EU Member States to adopt waste prevention programmes by 12 December 2013. The waste hierarchy, the guiding framework for EU and national waste policies, gives the highest priority to waste prevention, followed by (preparing for) reuse, recycling, other recovery and disposal. The analysis of waste prevention initiatives is based on harmonised country/region 'abstracts', which facilitate cross programme comparison. The comparison includes the coverage of waste prevention programmes, as well as the scope, overall objectives, targets, indicators, monitoring systems as well as the approach to evaluating objectives and targets.

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Country profiles on waste prevention

11 Nov 2016

These country fact sheets were produced in the context of reviewing national and regional waste prevention programmes across Europe. The Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC). Article 30(2) of the Directive invites the European Environment Agency (EEA) to carry out an annual review of progress in the completion and implementation of the programmes. Within the waste hierarchy, the overarching principle behind EU and national waste policies, waste prevention is considered the most desirable option.