Continuation of the Approach to Ending Waste Status

30-05-2024

End Waste is a complex topic that GCNE has been tackling for some time. Last year, we worked on a problem analysis, developed potential solutions, and produced an action plan. The creation of a uniform self-assessment format is a concrete follow-up step from this action plan, which we are undertaking in collaboration with InvestNL, Van Waarde, the Union of Water Authorities, and VNO-NCW.

At the end of April, a joint working session took place at Castle de Schaffelaar to further develop a uniform format for self-assessment of the 'End of Waste Status'. We reflect positively on the workshop. With participation from 24 (industry) parties, the meeting was well-attended and we concluded several points:

  • The necessity to implement a uniform approach for self-assessment, as outlined in our initial strategy, is considered beneficial by a significant majority of the participants;
  • A large majority of participants found the concepts for the table of contents for the self-assessment as well as the process flows for risk assessment concerning humans and the environment presented a good starting point for a uniform approach;
  • A substantial majority of the participants indicated a willingness to contribute to the further development of the uniform approach.

These conclusions are promising. With the input we gathered during the meeting, we have enriched the initial concepts for the table of contents for self-assessment as well as the process flows for risk assessment regarding humans and the environment. The substantive robustness of these refined process flows and explanations will be strengthened in the upcoming period. Furthermore, a strategy will be formulated over the summer to scale up the uniform approach, ensuring it is broadly supported and that its uniformity can yield benefits.

Here are a few quotes from the participants:

Eric de Vries from the HVG Group: "A uniform and widely supported self-assessment of the End of Waste Status is essential for new initiatives within Green Chemistry. It helps HVC, together with its supply chain partners, to make quicker strides towards a circular economy.”

Emma van Dobben from Aqua Minerals: "The risk to humans and the environment can vary significantly depending on the recycled product. Assessing the risk may require knowledge about potential contaminants, legislation, laboratory analyses, risk assessments, and so forth. There is currently no toolkit available for companies to help answer questions about these risks. With the uniform approach to self-assessments, we aim to change that. This will provide companies with a tool to manage this complex issue.”

For an overview of previous analyses and reports, click here.