Citation
(2012), "EU methods for calculating waste recycling rates", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 23 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/meq.2012.08323baa.004
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
EU methods for calculating waste recycling rates
EU methods for calculating waste recycling rates
Article Type: News From: Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Volume 23, Issue 2.
The European Commission has proposed calculation methods for calculating member states’ recycling rates for household waste and construction waste. These methods will be used to monitor compliance with targets set by EU legislation.
The revised waste framework directive says 50 per cent of combined glass, paper, metal and plastic waste from “households or other origins” should be recycled by 2020. It also sets a 70 per cent recycling target for construction and demolition waste. A draft decision published by the Council of Ministers proposes four options for calculating the recycling rates for household waste, depending on national characteristics. Member states will be able to switch to a different option as long as they can ensure consistency in the data reported to the commission.
EU countries can choose to cover only paper, metal, plastic and glass or also other single waste streams from households or similar waste streams, or all household waste except discarded vehicles and sludge and mineral waste, or municipal waste. Biowaste will not have to meet end-of-waste criteria in order to count towards the target on household waste as proposed in an earlier version of the draft decision. This restriction was removed after several member states said they could not accept it.
The commission has issued a set of guidelines clarifying the calculation method for determining when a waste-to-energy installation can be classed as a recovery facility under the EU's waste hierarchy, and when it should be considered as a disposal plant. It is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/framework/pdf/guidance.pdf