Back to basics? Recent considerations on the ‘re-use’ and ‘regeneration’ of waste

Abstract:

Achievement of the objectives of the EU waste policy is substantially dependent upon the waste hierarchy and the categorisation of specific waste management operations. Whilst the meanings of 'recycling', 'recovery' and 'disposal' have received the frequent attention of the courts and academic commentators, analysis of the terms 're-use' and 'regeneration' is less common. This article reviews two recent but unrelated outputs from the European institutions - the European Parliament's Environment, Public Health and Consumer Committee Report on the Thematic Study on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste and the infraction proceedings relating to the non-implementation of the Waste Oils Directive.