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EU methods for calculating waste recycling rates
The European Commission has proposed calculation methods for calculating member states' recycling rates for household waste and construction waste. These methods will be used to monitor compliance with targets set by EU legislation.
The revised waste framework directive says 50% of combined glass, paper, metal and plastic waste from "households or other origins" should be recycled by 2020. It also sets a 70% recycling target for construction and demolition waste. A draft decision published by the Council of Ministers proposes four options for calculating the recycling rates for household waste, depending on national characteristics. Member states will be able to switch to a different option as long as they can ensure consistency in the data reported to the commission.
EU countries can choose to cover only paper, metal, plastic and glass or also other single waste streams from households or similar waste streams, or all household waste except discarded vehicles and sludge and mineral waste, or municipal waste. Biowaste will not have to meet end-of-waste criteria in order to count towards the target on household waste as proposed in an earlier version of the draft decision. This restriction was removed after several member states said they could not accept it.
The commission has issued a set of guidelines clarifying the calculation method for determining when a waste-to-energy installation can be classed as a recovery facility under the EU's waste hierarchy, and when it should be considered as a disposal plant.
It is available at: ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/framework/pdf/guidance.pdf
Calculation methods for municipal waste are available at: register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/11/st13/st13097.en11.pdf
EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region
The European Commission adopted a Communication on the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region on 10 June 2009. This followed a request from EU Member States (1). This is the first time that a comprehensive Strategy, covering several Community policies, is targeted on a 'macro-region'.
(1) European Council Conclusions of 14 December 2007, point 59:
"Without prejudice to the integrated maritime policy, the European Council invites the Commission to present an EU strategy for the Baltic Sea region at the latest by June 2009.
This strategy should inter alia help to address the urgent environmental challenges related to the Baltic Sea. The Northern Dimension framework provides the basis for the external aspects of cooperation in the Baltic Sea region."
All details about the Strategy can be read here: ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/cooperation/baltic
New EUSBSR Communication 23032012 (pdf)
Plastic ZERO
Plastic ZERO is a project with participation of eight European partners aimed at reducing the amount of plastic in the waste stream for incineration and landfilling.
www.plastic-zero.com
Waste Governance – European neighbourhood and partnership instrument (ENPI) East
To reduce the risk arising from inappropriate management of wastes in the ENPI East, that thereby create environmental pollution hazards to the community and to natural resources, through co-operation with, and amongst, partner states in the region of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine.
www.wastegovernance.org
Ecoparc de Barcelona
Ecoparc de Barcelona is a facility dedicated to treatment of solid waste in the metropolitan Barcelona area.
More information and video
To learn more about Ecopark, please visit the website:
www.ecoparcbcn.com
Call for proposals for projects in relation to Baltic Sea Region (Swedish)
Svenska institutets bjuder in svenska aktörer att komma in med projektansökningar om tematiska partnerskap.
http://www.si.se/Svenska/Innehall/Pressnyheter/Nyheter-2012/Nyheter-2012/Utlysning-for-projekt-i-Ostersjoregionen/
Seed Money for EUSBSR operational in 2013
Investitions Bank Schleswig Holstein (IB) has been appointed to manage the "EUSBSR seed money facility". The total budget of this facility will be around 1.1 M€. An agreement with IB will be signed before the end of 2013.
The general idea is that the facility will support projects which total budget is between 30 000 and 50 000€. At least three partners from three different EU Baltic Sea Region countries will have to be involved (in addition, neighbouring countries can also be part of a project provided of course that their participation contributes to the objectives of the Strategy).
http://www.balticsea-region-strategy.eu/item/323474
