The study investigated whether these particular plastic and rubber wastes should be exempt from being considered hazardous under the Waste Framework Directive.

Hazardous waste is subject to specific requirements. Treatment and possible recycling are more complex and costly for hazardous waste than for non-hazardous waste, because of the higher risks for health and the environment.

Hazardous substances contained in wastes are not always released or 'biologically available' (when embedded in the matrix of the material, for example). In these cases, the waste can be exempted from being classified as hazardous, as has been the case for pure metal alloys.

Final report: Study on exemption for certain plastic and rubber waste