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European Waste Management Policy

Flemish waste mangement policy is closely intertwined with European legislation. In some cases, an EU law constitutes the starting point for the formulation of new Flemish rules on waste. In other instances, the Flemish waste management policy is ahead of European developments. Then it might be necessary to make some minor adjustments to the Flemish rules, once the EU law has been established.

Over the last 30 years, the European Union has been very active in the field of waste management. The 1975 Waste Framework Directive established the general framework for European waste management policy. The Waste Framework Directive was one of the drivers of the adoption of the 1981 Flemish Waste Decree. Since then, more than 50 Directives, Decisions and Regulations have been adopted. They relate to a whole range of themes, from the landfilling, incineration or transboundary movement of waste to the selective collection and recycling of batteries, packaging waste, end-of-life vehicles and electric equipment. In addition, a number of thematic strategies and action plans on waste-related topics have been developed at the EU level. Subjects covered in such action plans and strategies are waste prevention and recycling, sustainable consumption and production, sustainable use of natural resources and shipdismantling.

In the summer of 2008, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on a revised Waste Framework Directive.

European waste legislation evolves constantly. Click here if you are interested in the latest developments.