European policy on biodegradable waste: a management perspective

The main characteristics of the European environmental policy are reviewed. Focusing on EU policy on waste, the paper presents the principles on which EU waste management is founded, particularly the waste hierarchy. In this hierarchy, priority shall be given to prevention of the generation of waste...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water science and technology 2002-01, Vol.46 (10), p.311-318
Main Authors: GOMEZ PALACIOS, J. M, RUIZ DE APODACA, A, REBOLLO, C, AZCARATE, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Biodegradability
Biodegradable wastes
Biodegradation
Biodegradation, Environmental
Conservation of Natural Resources
Energy management
Energy recovery
Environment
Environmental management
Environmental policy
Europe
Exact sciences and technology
Materials recovery
Organic wastes
Policy Making
Pollution
Quality assurance
Quality Control
Recovering
Recovery
Recycling
Refuse Disposal - methods
Waste disposal
Waste Disposal, Fluid - methods
Waste management
Waste management industry
Waste recycling
Wastes
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Summary:The main characteristics of the European environmental policy are reviewed. Focusing on EU policy on waste, the paper presents the principles on which EU waste management is founded, particularly the waste hierarchy. In this hierarchy, priority shall be given to prevention of the generation of wastes and of its hazardousness. Secondly, the reuse and the recovery of materials (recycling), which implies the separation of waste at source involving consumers in the scheme of waste management. Priority should be given to material recycling over energy recovery. The less desirable option is the disposal of waste. The paper reviews specific directives on organic waste management, following the scheme of the waste hierarchy, together with the general trends observed in producing common regulations for all types of organic residuals. Afterwards, key issues and measures for the implementation of a feasible strategy for organic residuals management, e.g. quality requirements and quality assurance, are discussed. Finally, there is a view from a manager's perspective on the current EU policy, public acceptance and suitable waste management operations.
ISSN:0273-1223
1996-9732
DOI:10.2166/wst.2002.0362