Netherlands to accept new waste legislation

New highlights of the national policy

Waste prevention is a key priority in the new legislation. Although it is up to the Member States to draft national waste prevention plans that outline how this will be achieved, optimising reuse of waste as secondary raw materials and in other useful applications such as energy generation serve as the guiding principle. Reducing the amount of waste generated and increasing recycling will not only stimulate the development of greener technologies and products, but will also lead to more efficient use of raw materials.

Targets will be set to improve the separation of household waste from construction and demolition waste so that more materials are recycled. Separation at the source is emphasised in the European regulations, provided it is feasible from a technical, environmental and economic standpoint.

The European Commission is currently discussing the role of post-collection separation. Finally, the new regulations offer Member States the flexibility to classify certain waste streams as non-waste materials, provided they comply with specific criteria as yet to be specified by the European Commission. Certain waste regulations will not apply to waste streams that conform to these criteria.

The European Waste Framework Directive is designed to minimise the generation and damaging impact of waste through the development of green technologies and the market introduction of new products with a low environmental impact. The Directive also prescribes general guidelines for waste collection and processing, the preparation of waste management plans and the minimisation of health and environmental risks by means of appropriate waste processing.

Source: Ministry of Housing, Spacial Planning and the Environment (VROM):

• New waste legislation (12.05.2010)

• Cabinet on schedule with climate targets (29.04.2010)

Related external links:

• ACR+ launches first European decision-making tool for municipal waste management

• New campaign guide to the Waste Framework Directive transposition

• Packaging and the EU Directive on Waste: Questions & Answers