When it comes to separate collection, the Presidency proposed that Member States by default would be obliged to ensure separate collection. However, there would be a derogation clause allowing Member States to deviate from this obligation. To this end, the current formulation “if technically, environmentally and economically practicable” would need to be further specified. Different criteria are being discussed. For example, the lack of technical feasibility for separate collation in a Member State could be justified based on an assessment of relevant best practices.
On the measurement point, the Presidency explains that in essence both Member States and Parliament define one calculation point. This is why, the Presidency proposes Member States to continue supporting a single calculation rule. But for practical purposes, Member States would be allowed to either measure the input to a recycling operation or the output of a sorting operation under specific conditions. The reason for this is the assumption that if all losses after sorting are deducted, the outcome should be the same.
On Wednesday 25 October, the Parliament, the Commission and the Council met for the fourth round of negotiations on the waste package. During the meeting they agreed on some technical provisions within the Waste Framework Directive such as: disposal operations, waste hierarchy and hazardous waste, including dilution and mixing of hazardous waste. They also made a progress to varying degrees on extended producer responsibility schemes, backfilling, food waste, waste management plans and waste oils.. It is worth noting that the discussions on the recycling targets and the calculation methods for recycling rates are still to take place.
The next trialogue meeting is scheduled for Monday 27 November.