The Commission has asked consultants to perform a study on the efficient functioning of waste markets in the EU. The objective of the study and the consultation is to obtain a better understanding of obstacles and regulatory failures affecting the EU’s waste markets. If waste markets function efficiently, without unjustified restrictions, waste would be routed to better sorting techniques, optimised processes and more effective treatment, recycling and recovery, which would improve environmental protection and the supply of secondary raw materials. This could also create more jobs and increase growth in the EU’s waste management and recycling sectors.  The obstacles and regulatory failures may include, for example, laws and policies at national, regional or local level preventing waste from being recycled and recovered at the most appropriate facilities in terms of environmentally sound management and the EU waste hierarchy. Other examples which have been brought to the Commission’s attention include the interpretation and application by national authorities of EU waste legislation, including the EU waste shipment regulation (EC/2006/1013) and the EU waste framework directive (2008/98/EC), as well as the development of waste treatment networks leading to local overcapacities or under-capacities to the detriment of higher ranked treatment steps in the EU waste hierarchy.

The consultation is mainly addressed to experts and stakeholders in the waste management sector but input from anyone interested in these matters is welcome.  The results of this consultation will contribute to the finalisation of the study and will be taken into consideration in preparation of new EU initiatives on the Circular Economy.

Your views could help to identify evidence on obstacles and regulatory failures affecting the EU’s waste markets and propose solutions to improve the situation.

To read the full text of the consultation:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/waste_market_en.htm