Page 6 - Environmental_Ecology

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All actors in the food chain have a role to play in preventing and reducing food waste, from those who
produce and process foods (farmers, food manufacturers and processors) to those who make foods
available for consumption (hospitality sector, retailers) and ultimately consumers themselves. The central
goal of EU food safety policy is to protect both human and animal health. We cannot compromise on these
standards but, in co-operation with Member States and stakeholders, are looking for every opportunity to
prevent food waste and strengthen sustainability of the food system. 1

1.4 The main challenges of waste management

1.4.1 Problems with plastic recycling

The main issues complicating plastic recycling are the quality and price of the recycled product, compared
with their unrecycled counterpart. Plastic processors require large quantities of recycled plastic,
manufactured to strictly controlled specifications and at a competitive price. However, since plastics are
easily customised to the needs (functional or aesthetic) of each manufacturer, the diversity of the raw
material complicates the recycling process, making it costly and affecting the quality of the end product. In
consequence, the demand for recycled plastics accounts for only 6% of plastics demand in Europe.
2

1.4.2 Infrastructure and financial challenges

Whether it is re-used, recycled, incinerated or put into landfill sites, the management of household and
industrial waste comes at a financial and environmental cost. First, waste must be collected, sorted and
transported before being treated which can prove expensive and result in greenhouse gas emissions and
pollution of air, soils and water. One major challenge is the fact that a large amount of the waste
generated each year – some 100 million tonnes – is hazardous, containing heavy metals and other toxins.

These substances make the waste particularly difficult to treat as special processes are needed to deal with
the hazardous components. The EU is working to reduce the hazardous materials used in products which
then end up in our waste, as well as ensuring that hazardous waste is dealt with in the safest way possible.
Several types of chemicals have been banned and the use of other materials has been significantly
restricted. Waste treatment facilities are being improved across the EU to make sure hazardous material
can be dealt with safely. There is also a risk that hazardous waste is exported abroad where it may be dealt
with in unsafe conditions. The EU is working hard to support Member States in monitoring activities to stop
illegal waste shipments.
3

1.5 Main principles of the EU waste policy

A key principle of EU waste policy is to move waste management up the ‘waste hierarchy’ (according to
which waste prevention is the most favourable option, followed by preparing for reuse, recycling and other
methods of recovery, and waste disposal is least favourable) and to follow the principles of a circular
economy.

1 https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/food_waste_en
2 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20181212STO21610/plastic-waste-and-recycling-in-the
-eu-facts-and-figures
3 https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/pdf/WASTE%20BROCHURE.pdf