The European Union has warned that despite higher levels of recycling in Europe there has been only a small reduction in the number of landfill sites which are "the most problematic way to dispose of waste."

The cautionary note comes in a summary of the aims of the EU's Thematic Strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste in which the Commission says that landfill should be used only as a last resort.

Explaining the principles of the strategy in the EU publication "Environment for Europeans", the EU says that "given the amount of waste generated annually in Europe, and developments in new technologies, the time has come to move towards a recycling society. The new Thematic Strategy … sets out to modernise the EU approach by updating existing policies and creating a market for recycling activities."

Some of the positives within EU waste policy are highlighted. This includes that "heavily polluting landfills and incinerators are being cleaned up and specific legislation is addressing the problems caused by packaging waste, end-of-life vehicles and waste electrical and electronic equipment."

Prevention

But, looking ahead, the Commission says that more work is still needed on prevention and minimise measures to avoid the creation of waste in the first place, and also on recycling. So, the strategy has an overall aim to make waste policy contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources, with recycling as a priority, higher importance for energy recovery and landfill used "only as a last resort".

The article notes that the Thematic Strategy will provide Member States with a "practical and science-based European framework for waste prevention." And, the Commission wants member states to come up with waste minimisation and prevention programmes.

Quality standards are also on the agenda: "The new strategy should also help develop markets for those that recycle and recover by setting quality standards, and is designed to make individuals more aware of how they can contribute to the fight against waste."