The global market for waste is undergoing considerable changes. In the past decade, millions of tonnes of European waste has been exported to non-EU countries, often without sufficient consideration of proper waste treatment. In many cases, waste exports result both in negative environmental and health impacts in the countries of destination, and in loss of resources and economic opportunities for the recycling industry in the EU. Recent import restrictions introduced by some third countries have exposed the overdependence of the EU on foreign waste treatment, but they have also mobilised the recycling industry to increase its capacity and add value to waste in the EU.

In the light of these developments, and considering that illegal shipments of waste remain a source of concern, the Commission will take action with the aim to ensure that the EU does not export its waste challenges to third countries. Actions on product design, quality and safety of secondary materials and enhancing their markets will contribute to making “recycled in the EU” a benchmark for qualititative secondary materials.

Facilitating preparing for re-use and recycling of waste in the EU will be enhanced by a thorough review of EU rules on waste shipments. The review will also aim at restricting exports of waste that have harmful environmental and health impacts in third countries or can be treated domestically within the EU by focusing on countries of destination, problematic waste streams, types of waste operations that are source of concern, and enforcement to counteract illegal shipments. The Commission will also support measures at multilateral, regional and bilateral levels to combat environmental crime notably in the areas of illegal exports and illicit trafficking, strengthen controls of shipments of waste, and improve the sustainable management of waste in these countries.

Source: European Commission

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