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Environmental information systems
The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) places waste prevention at the top of the waste hierarchy.
Preventing waste generation is fundamental to achieving a circular economy within planetary boundaries. It reduces resource use, increases the circulation of materials and products with longer lifespans, and encourages business models that rely less on material consumption.
Tracking progress in waste prevention goes beyond measuring reductions in waste generation. It also involves assessing the implementation of policies and actions, monitoring economic and social drivers, and evaluating indicators such as waste prevention measures in place and their effectiveness relative to economic growth and consumption patterns.
Assessment
- Between 2010 and 2022, the amount of waste generated in the EU increased, but considerably less than the economy. More specifically, the waste intensity, namely the amount of waste generated per unit of economic output, declined by 13% in the EU, with most of the reduction taking place between 2020 and 2022. However, sectoral trends in waste generation show considerable variation. This is influenced by multiple policies and further analysis is needed to identify the specific drivers behind these patterns.
