Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) prescribes the following waste hierarchy: prevention;
preparing for re-use; recycling; other recovery, e.g. energy recovery; and disposal.
ECRAN countries are in intensive planning and implementation period of the EU waste management
requirements. Landfill of Waste Directive (Council Directive 1999/31/EC) is one of the heavy cost
Directives and it requires substantial planning, preparation and investment activities. Landfilling is still
preferred option for many countries in the ECRAN region, while source separation and recycling activities
remain in the initial stage. Regional waste management strategies and systems are being planned and
implemented in all ECRAN beneficiary countries with landfill as a key element of the system.
Landfill is however, one of the oldest form of waste treatment and one of the least desired options
because of the many potentially adverse impacts it might have. Waste Framework Directive puts very
strong requirements for source separation and recycling, establishing clear targets and implementation
deadlines. Also it is likely, that the EU funds allocations during new financial perspective 2014 – 2020 will
be tightly related with the updated National Waste Management Plans incorporating source separation
and recycling targets.
In order to reflect the EU requirements on waste management, countries shall gradually move from
dependence on landfilling of waste to extensive systems for source separation, secondary separation,
revised waste collection schemes, extended recycling capacities, treatment of biodegradable waste and,
where economically feasible, mechanical and biological treatment systems.
Changes in waste management infrastructure and methods are directly impacting waste management
investment policies and pricing policies. Reduction of investment into landfills require increase of
investment into source separation sites (green islands, recycling sites), secondary separation lines,
adopted collection systems (several types of trucks and containers), facilities for recycling and treatment
of biodegradable waste (recycling installations, composting, anaerobic treatment), separation of mixed
waste (various types of MBT installations). Such changes are not only impacting investment policies,
but require increase in operational costs. Interdependence between waste recycling targets and waste
management tariffs in 27 EU member states is presented in the picture below:
Higher level of recycling is related with higher operational costs and special waste management policy
instruments (e.g., landfilling charges) and can be achieved during longer periods with careful planning of
needed steps.
Taking into account the above, the tasks of Waste Management Working Group foreseen under ECRAN
will be delivered in close collaboration with the Strategic Planning and Investments Working Group and
will be focused on the following:
- Analysis of current waste management policies in the countries, possible waste management
options, investment actions needed;
- Further strengthening of the capacities of the competent authorities dealing with transposition and
implementation of Waste Framework Directive.
Workshop Presentations ECENA Waste, November 2015, Podgorica
Workshop ppt, Remediation of Landfills, September 2015, Podgorica
Report Cost Recovery Workshop and WMWG SPIWG Annual Meetings, March 2015
SEEWA project presentation - ECRAN Waste WG - Tirana March 2015 - short version
Annual Meeting of WMWG SPIWG and Waste Workshop, March 2015, Tirana
1st Annual Meeting Strategic Planning and Waste WGs January 2014 Skopje