The European Commission presented on December, 3rd a discussion paper on the management of bio-waste in the European Union. Bio-waste, which involves biodegradable garden, kitchen and food waste, accounts for around one third of municipal waste and has major potential impacts on the environment. When disposed of in landfill sites, it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas which is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide and a major contributor to climate change.

Economic growth in the European Union has led to increasing amounts of waste, causing loss of materials and energy and environmental damage. Each year the EU is estimated to produce between 75 and 100 million tonnes of food and garden waste. While waste management in the EU is governed by a substantial body of regulation, there may be room for further improvement in the area of bio-waste, which offers potential advantages as a source of renewable energy and recycled materials.

The Green Paper explores options and opportunities in bio-waste management in the European Union and will contribute to the assessment of the need for legislative action. It addresses in particular the best level for action (EU, national or local) and asks stakeholders for evidence supporting their respective views.

"The EU needs to become a resource-efficient, recycling society and bio-waste offers great opportunities”, highlighted European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas , adding that “once our resources become waste we must find ways to recycle them. Energy recovered from bio-waste in the form of biogas or thermal energy will help in the fight against climate change, and quality compost can contribute greatly to healthy soil and biodiversity. We need to work with stakeholders to ensure that the waste management options we choose bring the greatest benefits to our environment."

Main elements of the Green Paper on Bio-waste Management

• Overview of the current bio-waste management practices in the EU, and looks at the benefits and drawbacks of these methods, taking into account environmental, economic and social issues.
• Analyses of the impact of the existing regulatory measures. Bio-waste management is already subject to a number of EU and national legislative measures including obligatory diversion from landfills (Landfill Directive), encouragement of recycling (new Waste Framework Directive), incineration and composting (Incineration Directive, IPPC Directive, and Animal By-Products Regulation) and product standards and requirements (Organic Farming Regulation, the EU Ecolabel requirements for compost, national standards). The Commission is also working on additional measures including end-of-waste criteria for compost and guidelines for bio-waste management.
• Considerations about the need for new legislation which could help direct more bio-waste towards recycling and energy recovery.

The Paper is intended to stimulate a debate among stakeholders and help the Commission assess the need for additional EU action. The next step will be an impact assessment of a possible legislative proposal, which will be carried out in 2009. A legislative proposal, if justified by the impact assessment, could be adopted in 2010.

Public Consultation on Green Paperwill remain open until March, 15th 2009. Commission welcomes all the opinions expressed by stakeholders and public in general.