What is the Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act (KrWG)?
The Recycling Management Act is the central legal regulation of the German waste law. In this context, the circular economy is intended to conserve natural resources as well as promote environmentally sound management. The goal of this regulation is to reduce waste, especially waste going to disposal sites.
Waste with respect to this regulation is any substance or object that is disposed or dumped. First and foremost is the avoidance or minimization of packaging. In principle, non-avoidable waste is to be recycled materially or energetically, with the exception that an environmentally compatible solution is given to the disposal.
What Does the Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act Consists Of?
In principle, the Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act promotes the sustainable improvement of environmental protection and supports the strengthening of resource efficiency in waste management. A stable and reliable waste management system is crucial for conscientious and appropriate compliance with the circular economy regulations.
The following aspects are defined in the Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act:
- General regulations,
- Principles and obligations of producers and owners of waste,
- Product responsibility,
- Planning responsibility,
- Sales promotion and waste consulting,
- Supervision of proper disposal,
- Specialized waste management companies
- Operational organization, waste manager and facilitation audited company sites,
- Closing provisions
The Three Stages of the Circular Economy
In the next section, the basic categories of hierarchies for waste prevention are presented. The first step is always to implement the best option in terms of environmental protection. In addition to the environmental impact, technical, economic and social aspects must also be included.
1. Waste Prevention
In every company, product stewardship should be an integral part of waste management. First and foremost is the general reduction of packaging and waste. This basically refers to the selection and use of materials and the necessary separation property of packaging stocks of products. It is imperative that a concept for the approach to the avoidance of waste be drawn up. Delivery routes should be questioned as well as the possible avoidance of waste in the process chain and the service process.
2. Reuse and Recycling
Much packaging today is either reusable or recyclable. Recycling is made possible by extensive waste separation. The goal is to make the recycling process of reusable materials more efficient. In this context, it is necessary that appropriate measures are formulated by the environmental management officers as well as waste management officers.
3. Other Recycling and Disposal of Waste
Thermal recovery of waste is one way of converting the waste generated as fuel. However, this is the most environmentally unsound solution, which should be used as a last resort. In this case, there is an additional expenditure of energy and resources.
