Waste
Waste is a hazard for the environment and human health. The EU works to prevent and better manage waste, and foster a more circular economy.
Waste as a resource
Waste poisons land and water, and our oceans are filling up with plastic waste.
Poor waste management leads to pollution and puts a strain on the natural environment, posing risks to human health.
Yet, if properly managed, waste can be a resource. If re-used and recycled, instead of disposed of, waste can create value for the economy.
In a circular economy, high-value materials are extracted from waste and re-purposed to make new goods. This extends the life of materials, saving them from disposal and reducing the need for new materials. This helps reduce the impact on natural resources.
EU legislation on waste
The EU’s general aims when it comes to tackling waste are to:
- minimise negative effects by preventing and better managing waste
- promote recycling and the re-use of resources and materials, supporting a circular economy
EU rules on waste are grounded in the waste framework directive which sets out key principles on how to manage waste. Measures are in place to tackle specific types of waste, such as e-waste or food waste.
Waste framework directive
The waste framework directive contains basic waste management principles and definitions. It defines types of waste and hazardous waste, and explains when waste ceases to be waste and becomes a secondary raw material.
The directive sets a priority order for waste, called the ‘waste hierarchy’. According to this hierarchy, waste should be prevented in the first place, and disposed of only if it cannot be re-used, recycled or recovered.
The directive also contains targets for member states to reach. Among these is a target for the re-use and the recycling of municipal waste, which is to increase to a minimum of 55% by weight by 2025, a minimum of 60% by 2030 and a minimum of 65% by 2035.
The EU is working to revise the directive, in particular the rules on food and waste textile. The Council has agreed its position on the revision, based on the proposal tabled by the European Commission. A provisional agreement was reached with the European Parliament on the final shape of the legislation in February 2025.
Food waste
Waste shipments
Around 32.7 million tonnes of waste are exported every year, while 70 million tonnes are traded within the EU.
If not properly regulated and controlled, the waste trade can be harmful to the environment and to people’s health. Waste that contains hazardous substances can pollute the land and oceans, with disastrous environmental consequences.
The EU has rules regulating waste shipments. In 2024, these rules were updated to better regulate the trade in waste, both within the EU and with non-EU countries.
Waste trade
Batteries and waste batteries
The production of batteries uses many new raw materials, and waste batteries contain hazardous substances. The EU has adopted rules that regulate the entire life cycle of batteries – from production to reuse and recycling – and ensure that the sector and its products are safe, sustainable and competitive.
This will be achieved through performance, durability and safety criteria, tight restrictions for hazardous substances like mercury, cadmium and lead, and mandatory information on the carbon footprint of batteries.
Towards a sustainable, circular, European battery supply chain (infographic)
Waste from electrical and electronic equipment
Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) includes a large range of devices such as computers, fridges and mobile phones at the end of their life. This type of waste can cause major environmental and health problems if the discarded devices are not managed properly. Modern electronics also contain rare resources, including critical raw materials which can be recycled and re-used if the waste is effectively managed.
The amount of WEEE generated every year in the EU is increasing rapidly. To reverse this trend and promote improved recycling of WEEE materials, the EU has adopted rules on treating this waste, thus contributing to sustainable production and consumption.
In 2024, the EU adopted an amendment to the rules to clarify some provisions concerning extended producer responsibility.
Packaging
In 2022, EU countries generated alomost 84 million tonnes of packaging waste, 20% more than in 2011. If no action is taken, packaging waste could increase by another 19% by 2030, contributing to increasing pollution and the risks it brings.
To address this, the EU has revised its legislation on packaging and packaging waste. The goal is to:
- reduce the generation of packaging waste
- promote a cost-efficient circular economy for packaging
- harmonise packaging rules across the EU
Packaging
Persistent organic pollutants
Persistent organic pollutants, also known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they do not break down in the environment, are particularly harmful substances: they are toxic and can pose risks to people and nature.
These chemicals can be found in waste from some consumer products, such as waterproof textiles, furniture, plastics, and electronic equipment.
In 2022, the EU adopted rules to restrict the presence of such substances in waste.
Last review: 19 February 2025