About: landfill

Renewables law could lock EU into costly burning technologies

The EU Council’s position on the recast Renewable Energy Directive (REDII), if adopted, could lock EU member states into expensive and polluting waste-to-energy technologies that contradict the circular economy and climate objectives, writes Janek Vahk.

Moscow reaches landfill tipping point

Moscow is surrounded by 18 landfill sites where 11 million tonnes of waste are dumped every year. As Vladimir Putin considers running for president in 2018, the issue is emerging as a defining aspect of the looming election. EURACTIV’s partner Italia Oggi reports.

Member states need to agree on a strong Circular Economy Package

Following the European Parliament’s adoption of the proposed amendments on 14 March, the negotiations on the EU Circular Economy Package have now entered their final phase. NABU urges Europe to set strong targets, not watered-down goals.

Will bioplastics repeat the biofuels saga?

It took years for politicians to wake up to the destructive impact of biofuels, in no small part because of their green-sounding name. With bioplastics we risk falling into the same trap, argues Meadhbh Bolger.

MEPs bolster EU recycling and landfill targets

Members of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee yesterday (24 January) moved to increase draft EU recycling and landfill targets that had been lowered by the European Commission in its re-tabled Circular Economy Package.

Waste reform: From environmental disaster to economic opportunity

MEPs have the chance to unlock over 800,000 jobs by improving waste management and waste prevention across the EU. If they support progressive waste reform, the benefits will be huge for citizens, businesses and governments, writes Piotr Barczak.

The Brief: Regulate toasters for an ambitious circular economy

The European Commission will call into question the much-vaunted ambition of its Circular Economy Package, if it doesn't regulate products such as toasters and hairdryers.

Germany wants to scrap EU recycling targets

EXCLUSIVE / Germany, the EU’s most influential country and its leading recycler, has called for recycling targets in the European Commission’s Circular Economy package of green laws to be scrapped.

Commission’s axing of Circular Economy Package ‘stalled’ green policies across EU

EXCLUSIVE / The European Commission was accused last night of stalling national waste and recycling policies across the EU, after it emerged that only two countries have dedicated circular economy strategies.

Can our bins brighten our future?

There is energy in your bin. A large part of it is renewable. And it works even when there is no wind or sun. Why not use it, asks Patrick Clerens.

Timmermans defends ambition of new Circular Economy package

The European Commission today (2 December) defended the ambition of the waste and recycling laws which replaced the Circular Economy Package it axed in the drive to cut red tape.

Why restricting landfilling must be at the heart of the Circular Economy

In early December, the European Commission is due to put forward a revised Circular Economy package. This package opens up new opportunities which will help Europe on its path towards a sustainable future, writes Karl Foerster. 

New Circular Economy Package takes shape

EXCLUSIVE / The European Commission’s new Circular Economy Package will include fresh legislation on waste, fertilisers, and water reuse, “strong commitments” on Eco-design, strategies for handling plastics and chemicals, and “major” funding for innovation, EURACTIV has learnt.

Circular Economy: Landfill restriction needed

The Circular Economy is the buzzword of the moment in Brussels. But we need to make sure that our focus on “keeping the materials in the circle” does not distract us from our other objectives, argues Karl Foerster.

Europe puts spotlight on its waste problem

This weekend saw the beginning of the European Week for Waste Reduction, a move by EU regions to draw attention to the continent’s waste problem and some of the grassroots initiatives looking for a cure.

Plastic waste: A valuable resource

The upcoming review of EU waste legislation offers the chance to revolutionise the way we think about and deal with plastics waste in Europe, argues Carl Van Camp.

What goes around comes around: Recycling and climate change

Recycling has become a central part of the EU's climate change strategy by helping the bloc to tackle the nearly three billion tonnes of waste produced by Europe annually, much of which enters the atmosphere in the form of CO2 and methane emissions from landfill sites and incineration plants.

Commission eyes tighter enforcement of EU waste law

The European Commission does not have enough resources to properly enforce the implementation of the EU's Landfill Directive and related infringement cases against member states have very little effect, regretted an official at the EU executive, suggesting that the establishment of an EU waste implementation agency would remedy the situation.

Parliament votes in favour of waste recycling over incineration

MEPs agreed on setting binding targets for waste reduction and the introduction of a five-step hierarchy that gives priority to prevention, reuse and recycling over landfills.

Commission points out the mismanaged landfills in the EU

The Commission organised a seminar to spot the good and the bad managers of landfills and is taking legal action against 36 landfills in seven Member States.

EEA outlines measures for reducing landfill of biodegradable waste

On 22 March, the European Environment Agency (EEA) issued a study on the status of biodegradable waste in Europe. It highlights the differences between the national strategies drawn up, the methods currently used and the alternatives to landfill available.