Recovery of waste means any operation the principal result of which is waste serving a useful purpose by replacing other materials which would otherwise have been used to fulfil a particular function, or waste being prepared to fulfil that function, in the plant or in the wider economy.
Annex II of the Waste Framework Directive sets out a non-exhaustive list of recovery operations.
The differentiation between the terms reuse, recycling and recovery is important for the understanding and application of the targets stated in EU waste legislation.
Definitions for recycling and reuse in waste specific Directives partially deviate from the corresponding definitions of the Waste Framework Directive:
- The term recycling specified in waste specific Directives does in particular not include backfilling operations.
- Reuse as defined in the Packaging Directive 94/62/EC and the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC comprises specifications, the Waste Framework Directive does not include.
Further information
- Waste Framework Directive:
- Directive 2008/98/EC of 19 November 2008 on waste, Article 3 (17)
- Waste specific Directives:
- Batteries: Directive 2006/66/EC
- End-of life vehicles: Directive 2000/53/EC
- Packaging and packaging waste: Directive 94/62/EC
- Waste electrical and electronic equipment Directive 2002/96/EC
- Batteries: Directive 2006/66/EC
Related concepts
- Incineration
- Landfill
- Recovered products
- Recycling of waste
- Reuse of waste
- Waste (including disposal of waste)