Statistics Explained

Glossary:Recovery of waste

Recovery of waste means any operation the principal result of which is waste serving a useful purpose by replacing other materials which would otherwise have been used to fulfil a particular function, or waste being prepared to fulfil that function, in the plant or in the wider economy.

Annex II of the Waste Framework Directive sets out a non-exhaustive list of recovery operations.

The differentiation between the terms reuse, recycling and recovery is important for the understanding and application of the targets stated in EU waste legislation.

Definitions for recycling and reuse in waste specific Directives partially deviate from the corresponding definitions of the Waste Framework Directive:

  1. The term recycling specified in waste specific Directives does in particular not include backfilling operations.
  2. Reuse as defined in the Packaging Directive 94/62/EC and the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC comprises specifications, the Waste Framework Directive does not include.

Further information

  • Waste Framework Directive:
  • Waste specific Directives:

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