Waste experts warn of landfill ban problems

Waste experts have raised concerns about the details of a proposed ban on sending recyclable waste to landfill and other mooted landfill restrictions.

NGOs back such a measure but are concerned that the European Commission’s proposal, and in particular the definition of recyclable material, is too vaguely worded, which could allow it to be interpreted in a limited way in some member states.

Weine Wiqvist of Municipal Waste Europe welcomed the proposal at an event last week but also described the definition of recyclable waste as “very vague”, noting that “everything is recyclable given money and time”.