An analysis of European waste prevention and recycling has been published by the ACR+, with the support of Suez Environnement and its waste subsidiary SITA. The study includes, in particular, data on the various waste management models in the 27 European capitals. The book "Municipal Waste in Europe – Towards a European Recycling Society" brings together Europe’s waste management policies and outlines the challenges which public authorities need to address.

Founded 15 years ago, Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling and Sustainable Resource Management (ACR+) now brings together some 100 European local authorities responsible for waste management. The book is based on years of multiple exchanges of information and experience between association members.

The fact is, although Europe provides a common legal and regulatory framework, local authorities are the main public players. Jean-Pierre Hannequart, President of ACR+ says “Each member authority of the association has its own strategy, which articulates the common framework of the European directives but also places it in its own particular context based on country, region, urban characteristics, and local economic and social issues. This wide diversity does not prevent the existence of many common points of view on waste management policy: each town, city and region needs to develop a prevention strategy, apply similar legal concepts, organise selective collection, and make balanced choices between various waste treatment techniques.”

This book will allow all players, whether technicians, decision-makers, policy-makers, public authorities or private companies, to take a critical look at analysis methods, and at the parameters they need to take into account in municipal waste management.

In the words of Christophe Cros, Senior Executive Vice President of Suez Environnement: “Quantified targets for recycling, reducing discharge, and recovery are some of the challenges posed by the Member States, for which Suez Environnement is mobilising its expertise and resources to service local authorities. However, a 27-member Europe varies greatly in the efficiency of their waste management methods, and each country follows its own programme adapted to its particular socioeconomic fabric. Best-practice transfers must be encouraged so new Member States can benefit from the experience of pioneer States, which will lead to a homogeneous European market."

The comprehensive study of over 250 pages available in French and English is illustrated with photos, tables and diagrams. It covers the key challenges in waste management, the European legal context, broad management principles, collection methods, waste treatment techniques and cost issues. It also discusses the concrete application of concepts such as sustainable consumption and dematerialisation, and examines legal, economic and educational management tools.

The French version is available in bookstores in Belgium and France from 30 September. You can also order it online from victoires-editions.fr or environnement-online.com.

Quelle: ACR+

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