European waste bodies call for action on household hazardous waste. FEAD, ACR+ and Hazardous Waste Europe have published a joint declaration urging the European Commission and Member States to step up support for the separate collection of household hazardous waste, more than a year after mandatory collection took effect under the revised Waste Framework Directive.
Although household hazardous waste accounts for around 1 per cent of municipal waste by volume, it carries disproportionate risks to health, the environment and recycling systems if mishandled, according to FEAD. The declaration sets out recommendations on data collection and material characterisation, fair cost-sharing mechanisms, citizen awareness, capacity building, and investment in infrastructure and treatment capacity. It is also endorsed by the European Electronics Recyclers Association and the International Solid Waste Association.
Paolo Campanella, Secretary General of FEAD, said household hazardous waste 'is highly complex and costly to manage' and that operators and municipalities still need 'the right operational and financial framework and infrastructure to handle this waste safely and efficiently'. The declaration emerges from the Hazards Out! initiative, a partnership between the three organisations coordinated by NOWMORE.
