Mixed Waste Sorting
How further sorting of municipal waste for recycling prior to landfill can help the EU meet its recycling and carbon emissions reduction targets.
Report on Mixed Waste Sorting to meet the EU’s Circular Economy Objectives
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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.
About the report
Eunomia was commissioned to examine the potential role of “mixed waste sorting” (MWS) to complement separate collections of municipal waste in the EU, and to consider whether higher levels of recycling and improved climate change performance can be achieved through this further sorting of municipal waste for recycling prior to thermal treatment or landfill, i.e., “mixed waste sorting” (MWS).
How the report’s results were considered
The results were considered through the lens of the policy framework in the EU according to which each member state is obligated to achieve the:
- key packaging waste recycling targets by material in 2025 and 2030; in particular the plastic packaging waste recycling target of 55% by 2030 established in the 2018 revision to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD); and
- municipal waste recycling target of 60% by 2030 established in the 2018 revision of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD), increasing to 65% by 2035.
Mixed Waste Sorting Policy Brief
This policy brief explains why taking a holistic approach to policies addressing packaging design for recyclability, separate collection systems—including deposit return for beverage containers—and further sorting of municipal mixed waste prior to thermal treatment or landfill, is necessary if the EU is to meet its recycling and carbon emissions reductions targets and achieve real circularity. We have also included EU policy-specific recommendations.
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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.
Conference – The next frontier for managing residual waste for maximum circularity
In March 2023 Reloop Platform, Zero Waste Europe and the European Committee of the Regions held a conference on Mixed Waste Sorting.
Mixed Waste Sorting – The Next Frontier for Europe´s Circular Economy Objectives
This video describes the top line reasons that Mixed Waste Sorting is the next frontier for Europe´s Circular Economy Objectives.
A dual-action approach delivering critical benefits for the climate, the environment and for business across 27 EU Member States.
Our comprehensive overview of Deposit Return Systems for Single-Use Beverage Containers.
Drawing on data from 93 countries, over a 20 year period, examining trends in sales, collection and wastage of drinks containers.