European philosophy

Within the European context of waste management and treatment, one of the highlights is the first Environmental Material Action Plan, approved in 1973 by the European Council. The principles and aims of a community environmental policy to reduce atmospheric contamination and waste dumping were established. After various other significant documents, in 1993 the 5th Action Programme for the Environment and Sustainable Development was published, with the subtitle of "Towards Sustainable Development". Apart from continuing previous programmes, it also included proposals and recommendations from Agenda 21 and the World Summit in 1992.

Based on this programme, in 1994 the EEC Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive was developed. Other European legislation already existed, the most recent at the time being 91/156/CEE, with a special emphasis on waste management. Priorities were established - prevention or reduction in production, the recovery of secondary raw materials and encouraging the use of waste as an energy source.

In the European Community, just in the period from 1975 to 1990, there was an increase of 20 % in the production of waste, while production per inhabitant per year rose almost 15 % (cf. 5th Programme). Each country takes on waste managment and treatment in a different way, depending on factors such as income and the status of programmes according to their starting date. It is difficult to generalise, although at one end of the scale is Luxembourg, with an incineration level of 75 %.

At the other end of the scale are Finland, Portugal and Greece, who prefer landfills (over 80 %). Switzerland and Denmark are the best at recycling, with rates of around 20 %. Spain and Austria are at the top of the list for converting waste into compost, around 15 %. Recycling rates are still low, while landfills and incineration are still the preferred methods. All countries in the EU should make a great effort over the coming years to reach the goals set.

 Waste and Land