From landfill ban to residual waste reduction

Although European waste policy has been successful with landfill bans and taxes, it has usually only led to waste being diverted to incineration. This reduces landfill quantities, but not the total amount of residual waste. Therefore, a more effective approach to reducing residual waste is needed. With a view to the planned Circular Economy Act, Zero Waste Europe proposes a cap-and-trade system for residual waste analogous to emissions trading.