EPR Operational Tool
Mixed Waste Sorting
Sorting mixed municipal waste before final disposal (incineration or landfill) recovering recyclable materials, such as plastics, metals, and paper, that would otherwise be lost.
Mixed Waste Sorting (MWS) is a powerful tool enabling Circular Economy that involves sorting mixed municipal waste after separate collection, but before final disposal (incineration or landfill). The primary aim is to recover recyclable materials, such as plastics, metals, and paper, that would otherwise be lost, thereby boosting recycling rates and supporting circular economy goals.
As a tool, Mixed Waste Sorting:
- Maximises resource recovery: Even with robust separate collection systems, a significant share of recyclables still ends up in mixed waste. MWS captures these materials, ensuring they are recycled rather than incinerated or landfilled.
- Drives climate and recycling performance: Research (including from Reloop) shows that implementing MWS can significantly increase national recycling rates and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, helping meet ambitious recycling and climate targets.
- Complements other EPR tools: MWS is not a substitute for separate collection (like DRS or kerbside), but a complementary measure that ensures no recyclable material is left behind. Integrating MWS with other collection systems creates a more holistic and effective waste management approach.
To be effective, MWS should be mandated and its cost should be covered by the producers and importers within EPR, with clear requirements for sorting performance, transparent reporting, and integration with other collection and recycling systems.
By closing the loop on resource recovery and ensuring valuable materials are not lost to disposal, manufacturers fulfill the objectives of circularity of the materials they place on market.
Mixed Waste Sorting
How further sorting of municipal mixed waste for recycling prior to landfill can help the EU meet its recycling and carbon emissions reduction targets.
2023 Conference
The next frontier for the circular economy
In March 2023 Reloop Platform, Zero Waste Europe and the European Committee of the Regions held a conference on MWS.
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Mixed Waste Sorting to meet the EU’s Circular Economy Objectives
This report examines the potential role of “mixed waste sorting” (MWS) to complement separate collections of municipal waste in the EU.
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Mixed Waste Sorting to meet the EU’s Circular Economy Objectives
This policy brief explains why taking a holistic approach to policies addressing packaging design for recyclability, separate collection systems.
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The case for sorting recyclables prior to landfill and incineration
Report providing a clear and compelling case for mandatory mixed waste sorting in the EU.
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Joint letter on mixed waste sorting
Letter supporting expansion of the current proposal to revise the Waste Framework Directive to include sorting of mixed waste.
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Mixed Waste Sorting – The Next Frontier for Europe’s Circular Economy Objectives
Video describing the top line reasons that Mixed Waste Sorting is the next frontier for Europe’s Circular Economy Objectives.
About the Reloop Brief podcast
Your guide to Extended Producer Responsibility.
EPR Operational Tool
Direct financial incentives to drive higher beverage container collection rates.
