Destination Zero Waste Europe: Meeting Tomorrow’s Challenges Today

With latest statistics indicating that a staggering 524kg of municipal waste was generated per person in 2008, the need for a more proactive and efficient waste strategy across the EU has never been more critical. Furthermore, with climate change rising to the top of the political agenda, EU policymakers have sought to strengthen and revitalise the drive towards a greener and more sustainable future through a universal waste prevention strategy, based on the principles of waste reduction, re-use and recycling.

Since the Waste Framework Directive was announced in 2008, efforts have been made to rethink the way in which we deal with the issue. With the concepts of waste management and waste prevention being mutually intertwined, the need for a holistic and integrated approach to waste streams is crucial at EU, national and local levels. In addition, Europe must harness innovation through the formulation of resource-efficient eco-design policies and the adoption of greener technologies in order to find solutions for more durable, re-usable and recyclable products.

This special International Symposium explores the steps needed to develop a more robust waste prevention strategy across Europe. The Symposium will consider the practices and lessons learned from existing waste schemes and will trigger debates for innovative solutions, more effective coordination and better legislation and action plans at European and national levels. As the European Commission sets out its wider vision on sustainable lifestyles, practitioners and policymakers have the opportunity now to address the gaps, build capacity and explore solutions in order to meet tomorrow's challenges today.

Seeking to encourage greater political will and facilitate policy discussion The Centre for Parliamentary Studies welcomes the participation of all key partners, responsible authorities and stakeholders. The Symposium will support the exchange of ideas and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Programme

09:00 Registration and Morning Refreshments
10:00 Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks

Prof. Carlo Vandecasteele, Professor of Environmental Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Catholic University of Leuven (confirmed)
10:15 Panel Session One:
EU Waste Management Policy – Improving Strategies for Reaching Future Community Waste Targets
  • Initiatives and Best Practices at Regional and Local Level
  • Waste Prevention and Recycling – Regional Perspectives
  • Towards a Sustainable Holistic Approach in Waste Management
  • Key-Instruments for the European Recycling Society
Speaker:
Mr. Jean-Pierre Hannequart, President, Association of Cities and Regions for Recycling and Sustainable Resource Management (confirmed)
10:40 First Round of Discussions
11:10 Morning Coffee Break
11:30 Panel Session Two:
Towards a Strategy for Managing Waste Streams in Europe
  • Handling Production, Distribution and Consumption in Europe
  • Developing Environmentally-Friendly Products – Some Good Practices
  • Governance Challenges in the Sector – Industry and Consumers’ Perspectives
  • Recommendations for Future Policy Actions
Keynote Speeches:
Mr. David Hall, Director, PSIRU, University of Greenwich Business School (confirmed)
11:55 Second Round of Discussions
12:30 Networking Lunch
13:30 Panel Session Three:
Better Waste Prevention through Sustainable Solutions – Bringing Comparative Experience Together
  • Recycling Waste – Good Practices from Different EU Member States
  • Optimising Waste Disposal
  • Preventing Different Types of Waste – Existing Dynamics in the Sector
  • Some Recommendations
Speakers:
Mr. Mal Williams, CEO, Wales Community Recycling Network; Zero Waste International Alliance (confirmed)
Mr. Martin Brocklehurst, Head of Environment and Business Partnerships, Environment Agency, UK (confirmed)
14:20 Third Round of Discussions
14:50 Afternoon Coffee Break
15:10 Session Four:
Case Study – Prevention, Recycling and Waste-to-Energy Conversion of Municipal Solid Waste and Bio-Waste
  • Some Good Practices and Recent Developments
  • Municipal Solid Waste
  • Recommendations for Future Policy Actions
  • Optimizing the Management of Bio-Waste – Possible Scenarios for the Future
Speakers:
Prof. Carlo Vandecasteele, Professor of Environmental Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Catholic University of Leuven (confirmed)
Dr. Ella Stengler, Managing Director, Confederation of European Waste-to-Energy Plants (confirmed)
16:00 Fourth Round of Discussions
16:30 Chair’s Summary and Closing Remarks of Day One
16:40 Networking Reception and Refreshments
CPS logo

Event Brochure

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Hotel Accommodation

Public Policy Exchange are pleased to offer a discounted rate at the Silken Hotel Brussels for delegates attending this event. Simply book a delegate place and a we will email you a discount code alongside your confirmation.

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29th September 2010
Silken Hotel, Brussels


Register your place

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“ In the EU27, 524 kg of municipal waste was generated per person in 2008. 40% of this municipal waste was landfilled, 20% incinerated, 23% recycled and 17% composted. The average amount of waste generated in the EU27 was virtually unchanged from 2007 (525 kg per person). ”
Eurostat 43/2010, March 2010
“ Exploiting the resource potential of waste streams, an action plan for eco-innovation and reviewing the Environment Technology Action Plan, the Thematic Strategy on Natural Resources and the Waste Thematic Strategy will be part of the contribution from environment policy to improve resource efficiency. ”
Management Plan for 2010, DG Environment, European Commission
“ To support the development of a greener and more resource efficient economy; to bring about more sustainable production and consumption patterns through better resource efficiency, resource and waste management, and by aiming to ensure that the consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources does not exceed the carrying capacity of the environment; to foster eco-innovation and stimulate the development and the uptake of environmental technologies. ”
Objective One, Management Plan for 2010, DG Environment, European Commission