Other waste management legislation

New higher recovery targets to be met by 2008 have been set in the revised Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (2004/12/EC) based on a percentage of all packaging. The new targets are  

Of which minimum material-specific recycling targets are  

The packaging regulations have succeeded in raising packaging waste recycling from around 27% in 1997 to just below 50% at the end of 2004. 

The main requirement of the RoHS Directive now incorporated into UK law, is that any new electrical or electronic equipment placed on the market on or after 1 July 2006 must not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls or polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants other than in amounts not exceeding stated maximum concentration values. 

Certain appliances are exempt including lead in the glass of cathode ray and fluorescent tubes, mercury in a range of specified lamps, lead in high-melting temperature solders and cadmium plating. Similar exemptions apply to spare parts produced for die repair, reuse and upgrading of equipment that were put on the market before 1 July 2006. 

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This chapter focuses on RAP for waste management, primarily that required under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) but also, to a lesser extent, that conducted under the authority of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Many of the principles discussed herein are also applicable to RAP under other environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, and state-specific environmental legislation. 

Compliance with the established legislative and statutory framework for safety and environmental protection has to be enforced. No other responsibility assigned to the regulatory body should jeopardize or conflict with this mission. The regulatory body shall implement the licensing process and shall, where appropriate, develop and update the rules, criteria, guidelines, etc., and ensure that adequate records of radioactive waste management facilities or sites are maintained for an appropriate period of time. 

Several other countries in the Europe and Asia also have appropriate legislation and programs for managing waste ELs. These initiatives include the following ... 

There are some key reasons for regulating the flow of chemicals to the market independently of other legislation. One reason is the need for preventive measures early in the supply chain, covering protection of the environment, workers, consumers and property. Preventive measures, such as risk and safety information (labelling and SDS), as well as bans and restrictions on trade with very hazardous chemicals support, simplify and make more cost-efficient risk management for exposure and emission control at later stages (transport, use, waste handling, etc.). 

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