Natural Resources & Waste

Our Work

Over the years IEEP has made significant contributions to the development and assessment of many aspects of EU waste legislation and policy. Since the first EU Waste Framework Directive was adopted in 1975, legislation has expanded dramatically to cover many specific waste streams and various areas of waste management, including landfill, hazardous waste, shipment of waste and waste statistics.

We have conducted a number of broad-scale reviews of legislation, including assessing the coherence of the EU recycling Directives and analysing the effectiveness of specific EU policies. We have also assessed measures taken by the Member States, such as economic instruments used in the waste management sector (e.g. disposal taxes and pay-as-you-throw systems) and extended producer responsibility schemes for specific waste streams (e.g. packaging, waste electrical and electronic equipment, batteries and end-of-life vehicles).

Regarding work in this area, please contact Emma Watkins.

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Waste Legislation & Policy

  • The Manual: Chapter 6 - Waste

    This is a chapter of IEEP’s Manual of European Environmental Policy. This chapter on EU waste policies focuses on the management of waste, the environmental requirements with which waste management installations must comply and the big picture policy initiatives focused on waste.

  • Environmental policy and the UK’s review of the EU Balance of Competences

    The UK Government’s Balance of Competences review has now taken evidence on 25 subject areas, including the 6 with the most relevance for the Environment. We take stock of the IEEP’s contributions, and consider what a possible UK renegotiation might mean for the environment.

  • The Waste Shipment Regulation – practical and enforceable?

    The Waste Shipment Regulation is a major challenge for Member States to implement. IEEP gathered the views and experience of IMPEL members on its practicability and enforceability, to help inform any future legislative development and aid competent authorities to work together to enhance their implementation of the Regulation.

  • EU waste law: the challenge of better compliance

    Waste management in the EU is improving, but implementation by the Member States of EU waste legislation remains patchy. This paper makes suggestions on how better compliance could be achieved.