The Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management, the European Waste Management Association and Hazardous Waste Europe have signed a joint declaration. The document calls for increased cooperation, funding and policy support to ensure effective collection and management of household hazardous waste across Europe. The organisations cooperate under the Hazards Out initiative. The initiative promotes awareness, exchanges practical experience and supports capacity building.
Implementation gaps after EU obligation
The declaration focuses on implementation challenges since the introduction of mandatory separate collection in January 2025 under the revised Waste Framework Directive. Municipalities and waste operators continue to face operational and financial constraints.
Household hazardous waste accounts for around one percent of municipal waste by volume. However, it poses significant risks to human health, the environment and recycling processes if it is not handled properly.
Need for funding, data and public awareness
The declaration identifies several priority areas for action at European and national level. These include improved data collection and monitoring, better material characterisation and the development of fair cost-sharing mechanisms. In addition, the organisations call for stronger public awareness and targeted training programmes.
Local authorities play a central role in implementing collection systems. At the same time, they require clearer guidance and reliable funding instruments to ensure consistent and safe operations.
Investment and cooperation along the value chain
The signatories underline the need for investment in infrastructure, innovation and treatment capacity. They also stress the importance of cooperation across the entire value chain, including industry, municipalities and policymakers.
The declaration is also supported by the European Electronics Recyclers Association and the International Solid Waste Association. This broad support reflects the relevance of household hazardous waste management for the circular economy.
Focus on policy recognition
With the declaration, the organisations aim to raise awareness among policymakers at European and national level. They highlight the importance of household hazardous waste collection in Europe as a key element for environmental protection and resource preservation.
