The EU member states are currently discussing a proposal for new regulations on packaging and packaging waste. Six new UBA fact sheets support the discussion with facts and figures, experience from regulatory implementation in Germany, and background information relevant to the proposed new regulations.
Food production consumes many resources and produces greenhouse gas emissions. For the sake of the environment food waste should be prevented. A guideline by the German Environment Agency shows how it can work in the catering sector.
The central concern of waste policy is to avoid waste and to recycle. So that, natural resources are protected. Medium-term target is to recycle or dispose all municipal solid waste in an environmentally friendly manner. In addition to technical, social and political conditions it also requires legal choices.
Waste prevention conserves resources and protects people and the environment. It is therefore a primary goal of the circular economy. In 2013, the Waste Prevention Program with the participation of the federal states was adopted. It was drawn up with support of the German Environment Agency. The waste prevention program was reviewed in 2019 and updated in 2021.
The recycling of waste conserves resources and strengthening waste management. Just waste have a high potential for recycling. The UBA explores approaches to the use of this potential.
Waste management is responsible for the entire waste cycle: from waste prevention, re-use and recycling to recovery and disposal. Their tasks include collection, transport, ,sorting and treatment of waste.
