Challenges and opportunities in dealing with hazardous waste in the EU

Recycling Portal – 17 January 2023 – Improved recycling technologies and capacities essential to tackle increasing amounts of hazardous waste and to support the EU’s strategic autonomy. The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has released a Review on the EU actions to address the increasing amount of hazardous waste. The Review sheds light on existing and future challenges in dealing with hazardous waste, including improving classification, ensuring traceability, increasing recycling, and combating illegal trafficking. Claudia Mensi, FEAD President, commented: “On the occasion of the publication of the ECA Review, the European Waste Management Association welcomes and highlights its call for improving recycling technologies and capacities to tackle increasing amounts of hazardous waste and to support the EU’s strategic autonomy. FEAD adds to this claim that correct classification, incentives for (separate) waste collection and improved processing of data are crucial. The European waste industry is at the forefront of innovation, safety, and environmentally sound management practices, and we work every day to achieve the best results.”