Recovery and recycling of post-consumer waste materials. Part 1. Generalities and target wastes (paper, cardboard and aluminium cans)

Figures & data

Figure 1 Average composition of MSW (updated from Lund 1993).

Table 1 Key European initiatives for sustainable production and consumption (European Commission 2009).

Year	Topic
2000	Lisbon Strategy of Economic and Social Renewal
2000–2005	European Commission's Social Policy Agenda
2001	The Community Guidelines on State Aid for Environmental Protection
2001	Commission Interpretative Communication on Environmental Considerations in Public Procurement
2002–2006	6th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development
2002	6th Community Environmental Action Programme
2002	Commission Communication on Corporate Social Responsibility
2002–2006	EU Consumer Policy Strategy
2003	IPP
2004	Communication on Member State's Use of Market-based Instruments in Environmental Policy
2004	EU Environment Technology Action Plan
2005	Thematic Strategy on Waste
2006	REACH
2006	Sustainable Development Strategy
2006	Commission Interpretative Communication on Social Considerations in Public Procurement Directive 2006/12/EC on Waste (former Waste Framework Directive 75/442/EC)

Table 2 Typical short- and long-term targets (Keoleian and Menerey 1994).

Short-term targets	Long-term targets
Prepare a complete recovery and recycling plan	Meet targets and implement methods of improvement
Determine priority recyclables to be collected	Explore recovery of secondary recyclables
Assess and secure markets for recyclables	Identify additional markets and negotiate long-term contracts
Establish appropriate processing plants and capacity	Explore methods to reduce costs, expand plants
Promote recovery/recycling targets with the public (education, promotion)	Continuously ensure public awareness and discipline
Implement curbside, drop-off, segregated waste collection	Improve collection systems
Train and motivate recycling staff	Assess programme effectiveness
Keep clear records of achievements	Continuously evaluate achievement records
Live up to mandatory legislation	Stimulate new legislation, if necessary

Figure 2 Illustration of the average value of curbside recycled materials (adapted from Zero Waste 2009).

Figure 3 Process of papermaking.

Figure 4 Recycling rate for aluminium cans by countries (adapted from Jacobsen et al. 2004).

Figure 5 Aluminium beverage can usage and recycling rates in Western Europe (adapted from EEA 2009).

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Zero Waste, 2009. Available from: www.zerowaste.com/Recycling Markets [Accessed November 2009]

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Jacobsen , H. 2004 . Inventory of existing information on recycling of selected waste materials , European Topic Centre on Waste and Material Flows European Environment Agency (EEA) . August 2004

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EEA (European Environment Agency), 2009. Available from: www.eaa.net [Accessed November 2009]

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