EU Waste Framework Directive
EU Waste Framework Directive
This Directive provides the overarching legislative framework for the collection, transport, recovery and disposal of waste, and includes a common definition of waste. It encourages the prevention and reduction of harmful waste by requiring that Member States put waste control regimes into place. These waste management authorities and plans should ensure that necessary measures exist to recover or dispose of waste without endangering human health or causing harm to the environment. The requirements include permitting, registration and inspection requirements and should also encourage the development of clean technologies and disposal techniques.
Implications
This Directive will force the construction industry to separate waste onsite. The Directive will force waste collectors to separate waste and this will knock on to industry. It may encourage more specialist waste collection and disposal contractors to be formed, which will have cost implications to the construction contractors and may force the construction industry to look at ways to minimise waste.
Overlaps
None identified.
Opportunities
The need to minimise and separate waste that results from this directive creates the opportunity for cost savings to be made during purchasing. Increased costs of disposing of unused materials will force building contractors to review their purchasing policies and look for areas where waste can be reduced. The need to recycle products will also raise awareness of recycling and may lead to more contractors purchasing materials made from recycled products.
Guidance
The Directive is available in full, to download as a pdf. document at
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:114:0009:0021:EN:PDF
Defra also provides some guidance on the document at
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/thematicstrat/index.htm