Waste management and planning

Waste management planning, policy and regulation has changed significantly over the last few decades. In particular, less waste is disposed of at landfill and more waste is reused and recycled.

Key drivers for this change include the landfill tax escalator, which provides a financial incentive for business to divert commercial and industrial waste from landfill, increased public and private investment in waste management facilities, and new approaches to waste management, including producer responsibility obligations. For more information, see Practice Notes: Landfill tax—England and Northern Ireland, Waste projects—overview and New Approach directives and producer responsibility—key features [Archived].

Key EU legislation driving change in the waste sector includes:

1. •

   Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC (WFD), see Practice Note: Waste Framework Directive—snapshot

2. •

   Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC, see Practice Note: Landfill Directive—snapshot

3. •

   Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC, see Practice Note: Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive—snapshot

4. •

   Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 2012/19/EU (recast) (WEEE Directive), see Practice Note: Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) Directive—snapshot

5. •

   Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC, see Practice Note: Batteries Directive—snapshot

6. •

   End-of Life Vehicles Directive 2000/53/EC, see: End of life vehicles—overview