Page 5 - Environmental_Ecology

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1.2 Main waste streams 1

Waste streams are flows of specific waste, from its source through to recovery, recycling or disposal.
Together they make up the overall waste treated in the European Union. Waste streams can be divided
into two main categories: material-related streams (including metals; glass; paper and cardboard; plastics;
wood; rubber; textiles; bio-waste) and product-related streams (including packaging; electronic waste;
batteries and accumulators; end-of-life vehicles; mining, construction and demolition waste). Each waste
stream has its specific characteristics and applicable legislation, including in terms of treatment method,
hazardousness, practical recovery and recycling possibilities. Broadly, a set of general principles apply
across waste streams. A number of aspects need to be considered in assessing different waste streams:
sources of waste to be treated and uses of treated waste; applicable recycling and recovery methods;
specific opportunities and challenges, in particular related to recycling; and applicable European Union
legislation and its implementation.
2

Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/EPRS/EPRS-Briefing-564398-Understanding-waste-streams-FI-
NAL.pdf

1.3 Food waste

In the EU, food waste is estimated at one third of the food produced, or 180 kg per capita every year. In
total, in the EU, around 88 million tonnes of food waste are generated annually with associated costs
estimated at 143 billion euro. According to the Commission, households and the food processing sector are
the main sources of food waste. In its resolution of 19 January 2012 on avoiding food wastage, Parliament
considers cutting food waste along the entire food chain to be vital, calls on the Commission and Member
States to take action, and welcomes initiatives aimed at recovering unsold and discarded products
throughout the food supply chain to redistribute them to people lacking purchasing power.

Wasting food is not only an ethical and economic issue but it also depletes the environment of limited
natural resources. By reducing food losses and waste to help achieve Sustainable Development Goals, we
can also: support the fight against climate change (food waste alone generates about 8% of Global
Greenhouse Gas Emissions) save nutritious food for redistribution to those in need, helping to eradicate
hunger and malnutrition (some 43 million people in the EU cannot afford a quality meal every second day)
save money for farmers, companies and households.

1 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/EPRS/EPRS-Briefing-564398-Understanding-waste-streams-FINAL.pdf
2 https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/waste-recycling-1/assessment-1