Page 3 - Environmental_Ecology

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Introduction to the topic

Recycling is defined as any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products,
materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes. It includes the reprocessing of organic
material into materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations.

The differentiation between the terms reuse, recycling is important for the understanding and application
of the targets stated in EU waste legislation . Definitions for recycling and reuse in waste specific Directives
1
partially deviate from the corresponding definitions of the Waste Framework Directive:

1) The term recycling specified in waste specific Directives does in particular not include backfilling
operations.

2) Reuse as defined in the Packaging Directive 94/62/EC and the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC comprises
specifications, the Waste Framework Directive does not include.

At the European and International levels, many initiatives and articles were undertaken:

• Environment: Higher recycling targets to drive transition to a Circular Economy with new jobs and
sustainable growth
• A European strategy for plastic in circular economy
• EU Circular Economy Action Plan
• EU level instruments on water reuse
• Life and waste recycling
• Data on recycling waste in Europe
• Environment Action Programme to 2020
• Waste management and recycling

In this module you will learn about main types of recycling, reuse and recovery , why it is important, main
policies and objectives of the EU in terms of recycling as well as some best examples in the field.

1 https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Glossary:Recycling_of_waste