The European Parliament today adopted a report from its petitions committee which calls for the improvement of waste management in the European Union both on grounds of protecting the environment and defending citizens rights.

Most of the citizens' complaints received are related to environmental legislation, particularly to the Waste Management Directive and plans of public authorities in that regard. The concern of many petitioners is growing and this indicates that the problem of waste has to be better managed at regional, national and EU level.  Petitioners indicate especially the inability of Member States to fulfill their legal obligations.
 
On a practical level, the report highlights the need to examine the legal framework regulating waste management by involving different stakeholders at all administrative levels as well as citizens' groups themselves. One example of poor waste management policy occurred in Naples creating a major waste crisis largely due to the lack of waste collection in the city - a problem which is having to be addressed by the new mayor and former MEP, Luigi de Magistris.

Adina Valean (PNL, RO), ALDE coordinator on the EP petitions committee underlined
"In time of economic uncertainty we need to be creative and change our mindset. We should stop seeing waste solely as a problem to brush under the carpet but turn it into an opportunity for job and business creation. Efficient waste management strategies can provide enormous opportunities for both employment creation and revenue enhancement while ensuring environmental sustainability. According to a Commission report published last week full implementation of EU waste legislation would save €72 billion a year, increase the annual turnover of the EU waste management and recycling sector by €42 billion and create over 400,000 jobs by 2020!"

Sonia Alfano (Italia dei Valori, IT) said:
"When examining waste management options, local authorities should avoid prioritising incineration when other alternatives exist,which are cleaner  and create jobs. We must implement the Waste Management Directive keeping both in spirit and letter with a waste cycle based on the concepts of waste reduction, re-use and recycling. The landfill and incineration options are options used only after you have done everything possible. I hope that the European Commission will propose more stringent rules and procedures for the construction of incinerators and open landfill, by strongly encouraging "zero waste" policies in all Member States."

In addition to promoting waste hierarchy in reuse and recycling it calls for the  imposition of adequate penalties for the illegal disposal of waste.