EU Waste Management 2010. European waste management in the view of the waste framework directive

With regard to the shortage and price increase of resources it is important to break new ground in waste management to support sustainable methods of waste treatment in the future. The following article gives an overview of the availability and the use of raw materials (fossil fuels, metallic and non-metallic) in some important countries in the world. Also, it is shown how CO2-emissions can be reduced by recycling and valuable resources can be saved for future generations. Today?s methods of waste treatment (mechanical-biological-treatment or waste incineration) are evaluated concerning their feasibility for sustainable waste management. Finally recommendations on how to reach a sustainable waste management are presented.