Waste management: key points, examples, and regulations

If you want to understand and implement waste management in your organization, here are the essentials: what it means, how the waste hierarchy works, current data in the EU, and a practical plan to get started today.

What is waste management?

Waste management encompasses collection, transport, treatment, recovery, and disposal, following the hierarchy: prevent → reuse → recycle → recover → dispose. This approach comes from the EU Waste Framework Directive and its official glossary; in Spain, MITECO develops prevention and management at the state level.

Why it matters (and what’s happening in the EU)

Official statistics show the challenge and progress: in 2022, 5.0 tons of waste per capita were generated in the EU; 40.8% was recycled and 30.2% ended up in landfill. In 2023, municipal waste fell for the second year, reaching 511 kg/person.

Recycling indicators by stream (municipal, packaging, WEEE) at the European Environment Agency. European Environment Agency

The management hierarchy: your operational compass

1. Prevention (reducing at source: purchasing, design, processes).
2. Preparation for reuse (repair, reconditioning).
3. Recycling (material value).
4. Recovery (e.g., energy or biogas when not recyclable).
5. Disposal (landfill/incineration without recovery) as a last resort. The EPA and the EU agree on prioritizing the first three stages.

How to apply it in your company (6-step plan)

1. Waste map + EWC codes: identify waste streams and hazards using the European Waste Catalogue and technical guidelines.
2. Segregation at source: separate containers and signage; form teams on a recurring basis (avoid mixing hazardous/non-hazardous waste).
3. Infrastructure and pre-treatment: shredding/screening to standardize size and improve recyclability. If you work with wood, check out our shredding solutions and wood recycling plants.
4. Contracts and traceability: authorized managers, weighings, documents, and reporting aligned with the hierarchy. In Spain, MITECO centralizes procedures and internal/international transfers.
5. Minimum KPIs: % prevention, % reuse, % recycling, % recovery, % disposal; cost €/t and incidents.
6. Continuous improvement: container audits, route reviews, and renegotiation with data (EEA/Eurostat serve as a reference for comparing trends). European Environment Agency

Typical cases (and key decisions)

• Municipal/urban services: biowaste, packaging, paper/cardboard, glass, bulky items.
• Industrial/commercial: wood, cardboard, and plastic packaging; oils/solvents (hazardous) with specific treatment.
• Construction and demolition: inert materials (concrete/brick) for recycling as aggregate; separate metals, wood, and hazardous fractions.
• Always apply LER and applicable regulations for each flow.

Legal framework and official resources (essential)

• European Commission — Waste Framework Directive (summary and principles). Environment
• EUR-Lex — Directive 2008/98/EC (consolidated text). EUR-Lex
• MITECO (Spain) — Waste Prevention and Management + Shipments. MITECO
• Eurostat — Waste statistics (generation and treatment by country/material). European Commission
• EEA — Recycling indicators in Europe. European Environment Agency
• EPA (USA) – Waste management hierarchy / SMM. EPA

Conclusion

Waste management is not just about compliance: it is about saving costs, reducing risks and moving towards a circular economy. With proper sorting (LER), segregation at source, effective pre-treatment and traceability, your organisation improves its indicators and reputation… and the planet notices.

Would you like a management plan with a checklist, signage and KPIs for your case? → Let’s talk | See crushing solutions