London Wider Waste Strategy - London - Greater London Authority

European Legislation
The EU’s waste policy is delivered though a series of Directives which fall broadly into three
categories:
• horizontal legislation – establishing the overarching framework for waste
management;
• treatment specific legislation – relating to a particular method of waste
management;
• stream specific legislation – relating to a particular type of waste, or waste stream.
Not all the Directives relate directly to non-municipal controlled waste streams, although most
will have an impact. There are also a number of Directives that will indirectly have an influence
on waste management, such as the Habitats Directive (these are not covered here).
Horizontal Legislation
Waste Framework Directive (75/442/EEC as amended)
This Directive establishes the overarching framework for the management of waste across the
EU, setting out in law the policy principles of the waste hierarchy (prioritising waste prevention,
reuse and recovery), the polluter pays principle (ensuring the waste producer bears the cost of
treatment/disposal), and the need to dispose of waste without harming human health or the
environment.
The Directive is also influential because it establishes the need for Member States to prepare
Waste Management Plans, and prohibits the uncontrolled disposal of waste.
Hazardous Waste Directive (91/689/EEC, as amended)
Waste that is potentially hazardous to human health or the environment is covered by
additional legislation. The Hazardous Waste Directive sets out a common definition of
‘hazardous waste’ and details what can be included as hazardous and its properties. There is
also greater control on the movement of hazardous waste with Member States having to draw
up Hazardous Waste Plans and enforce stricter controls over waste management operations
handling hazardous waste, including record keeping, the mixing of waste streams, and the
shipment of waste.
Treatment Specific Legislation
Landfill Directive (99/31/EC)
The Landfill Directive requires Member States to secure a progressive reduction in the amount
of biodegradable waste going to landfill. Specifically, the targets to be achieved are to reduce
the volume of biodegradable municipal waste going to landfill:
• to 75% of the 1995 weight by 2010;
• to 50% of the 1995 weight by 2013;
• to 35% of the 1995 weight by 2020.
The Landfill Directive also requires the banning from landfill of:
• waste which is corrosive, oxidising, highly flammable, flammable or explosive;
• liquid hazardous waste, infectious hospital or other clinical waste;
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