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Glossary:Recycling of waste

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Recycling of waste is defined in the Waste Framework Directive as any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes.

It includes the reprocessing of organic material but does not include energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations.

Recycling can be split into the subcategories 'Material recycling' and the organic recycling 'Recycling - composting and digestion'. The latter is only possible for separately collected organic waste.

Article 11 (2) a of the Waste Framework Directive requires the calculation of the the recycling rate as the sum of 'Recycling' and 'Preparing for reuse' divided by waste generated.

Further information

  • Waste Framework Directive:
  • Waste specific Directives:

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