Waste Framework Directive

The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) 2008/98/EC sets out the basic principles and definitions related to waste management, such as definitions of waste, recycling and recovery etc. It explains when waste ceases to be waste and becomes a secondary raw material (so called end-of-waste criteria), and how to distinguish between waste and products.

The Directive lays down some basic waste management principles; it requires waste be managed without endangering human health and the environment, and without risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, without causing a nuisance through noise or odours and without adversely affecting the countryside or places of interest.

The WFD also introduced the Waste Hierarchy – the priority order by which all waste legislation and policies throughout the EU are managed.