The History and Current State of EU Hazardous Waste Export Regulations

The History and Current State of EU Hazardous Waste Export Regulations

1990s: The Beginning of Regulations
In June 1995, the European Union (EU) adopted a policy to completely ban the export of hazardous waste. This regulation was introduced as a measure to address environmental pollution and health damage caused by improper disposal, particularly in Africa (such as Nigeria and Liberia) and Asian countries. Targeted waste included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), heavy metals (lead and mercury), and organochlorine compounds.

Until then, EU member states such as Germany and France had been outsourcing waste processing abroad to reduce costs. However, this regulation required them to handle waste domestically. As a result, it was estimated that additional costs of 5 billion euros annually for France and 4 billion euros for Germany would occur, significantly impacting small and medium-sized enterprises. On the other hand, Northern European countries (Sweden and Finland) had already achieved high recycling rates and served as a model for the EU.

2000s: Advancement of Regulations and International Cooperation
In the 2000s, the EU further strengthened regulations on the international handling of waste. In 2006, the "Waste Shipment Regulation" was implemented, setting strict standards for waste transportation among OECD countries. Additionally, the "Waste Framework Directive" was revised in 2008, setting a goal to recycle more than 50% of municipal waste by 2020.

To cope with the rapid increase in electronic waste (E-Waste), the "WEEE Directive" (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) of 2002 was revised in 2008, imposing waste collection and recycling responsibilities on manufacturers. This resulted in improved recycling rates for electronic waste within the EU and a reduction in environmental burden.

2010s: Transition to Sustainability and a Circular Economy
The 2010s saw the EU aiming for a transition to a circular economy, promoting further waste regulation strengthening and sustainable resource use. In 2015, the EU announced the "Circular Economy Package," outlining policies focusing on waste reduction, increased recycling rates, and promoting the energy use of waste. This package set goals to recycle 60% of municipal waste and 75% of packaging waste by 2030.

The issue of plastic waste gained prominence, and the "EU Plastics Strategy" was adopted in 2018. The strategy aimed to ban single-use plastic products (such as straws and cutlery) by 2021 and ensure all plastic packaging is recyclable by 2030.

However, the 2010s also saw a sharp increase in waste exports to China. When China implemented the "National Solid Waste Ban" in 2018, banning the import of many types of waste, EU member states had to either shift export destinations or strengthen domestic processing systems. This policy shift led to increased waste exports to Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Thailand, but these countries also gradually tightened import regulations.

2020s: Strengthening Regulations and New Challenges
In the 2020s, EU waste export volumes continued to rise, reaching approximately 3270 million tons (worth 130 billion euros) in 2020. In response, the "Waste Shipment Regulation" amendment was announced in 2021, further strengthening export regulations, including banning the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries.

In 2023, the "Critical Raw Materials Act" was enacted, promoting the recycling of essential resources such as rare earth elements and lithium. As a result, companies like Carester in France and Heraeus Remloy in Germany have focused on recycling rare-earth magnets from electric vehicles and wind turbines.

The EU has been strengthening regulations to manage hazardous waste properly and realize a circular economy. Starting with the export ban in 1995, this initiative has evolved through international cooperation in the 2000s, circular economy policies in the 2010s, and innovative legal regulations in the 2020s. However, cooperation among member states and solving technical challenges remain key issues for the future.