ECO CHAMPIONS
Sustainable waste management focuses on reducing environmental impact through responsible waste handling practices. It emphasizes the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. By minimizing waste generation and promoting eco-friendly disposal methods, it supports long-term ecological balance. This approach also considers social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Offers policy updates, directives (like the Waste Framework Directive), and action plans on sustainable waste management.
Provides data, reports, and analysis on waste trends, recycling, and policy effectiveness in EU countries.
A core strategy for waste prevention and sustainable product design across Europe.
Offers official EU statistics on waste generation, treatment, recycling rates, and more.
The 3Rs are core principles of sustainable waste management.
Reduce: Minimize waste generation at the source
Reuse: Extend the life of items by using them again.
Recycle: Process used materials into new products to conserve resources and energy.
A joint initiative promoting the 3Rs through circular economy practices, with case studies and tools.
Tracks EU efforts and progress in reducing waste generation through prevention and reuse.Country profiles on waste prevention
The waste hierarchy ranks waste management strategies by environmental impact: Prevention, Reuse, Recycling, Recovery, and Disposal (from best to worst). The Circular Economy complements this by designing out waste, keeping materials in use, and regenerating natural systems — promoting a closed-loop system instead of a linear “take-make-dispose” model.
Municipal Waste: Household and similar waste collected by local authorities; includes organic waste, packaging, and general rubbish.
Industrial Waste: Generated by manufacturing and production activities; often large in volume and may require special handling.
E-Waste (Electronic Waste): Discarded electronics like computers and phones, containing valuable and hazardous materials.
Hazardous Waste: Waste harmful to health or the environment, such as chemicals, batteries, or medical waste — requires strict management.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Project Number: 101147501 CERV-2023-CITIZENS-CIV
