Waste 21

Appendix D Sectors

D 1 Waste incineration plants

D 2 Building and construction sector

D 4 Industry

D 7 Wastewater treatment plants 98

Waste can be divided according to the sector generating it. Such a division is useful as each sector is characterised by generation of specific waste fractions and collection systems adapted to this waste.

D 1 Waste incineration plants

D 1.1 Status

70% recycling of residues in due respect of groundwater

Waste incineration plants treat waste, but also generate waste. On 1^st January 1997, 31 incineration plants were in operation in Denmark (see also Appendix C on capacity at incineration plants).

In 1997, 2.4 million tonnes waste were incinerated.

Residues from waste incineration plants consist of slag and flue gas cleaning waste, accounting for 20 and 3 per cent respectively of waste amounts treated.

Slag is separated, and 70-80 per cent is recycled whereas the remaining amounts are landfilled, primarily due to low quality (too high content of heavy metals).

The composition of waste treated is essential to the amounts and quality of residues. Especially, contents of heavy metals and PVC are of importance in this connection.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

D. 1.2 Regulation

According to the Statutory Order on waste, local authorities must assign waste suitable for incineration - which is not recyclable - to incineration at a plant with energy recovery. Certain types of waste are defined as waste not suitable for incineration, as treatment may cause environmental problems. Examples of such waste are oil contaminated soil, PVC waste, and waste containing heavy metals.

D 1.3 Future initiatives

	requirements that environmentally harmful waste fractions such as PVC, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment must not be assigned to incineration
	seek to include principles of incineration of certain fractions in future EU Directive on waste incineration

In future it will be ensured that environmentally harmful fractions such as PVC, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment are separated from waste streams. It will also be ensured that these fractions are not incinerated, but recycled or landfilled until suitable treatment methods have been developed.

In the coming EU Directive on waste incineration, Denmark will seek to include clauses on incineration of heavy metal containing waste fractions and waste causing excessive amounts of residues from incineration (for example PVC), ensuring that such fractions are incinerated according to specific principles.

D 1.3 Environmental assessment

By keeping environmentally harmful fractions, such as PVC, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment, away from waste incineration plants, amounts of heavy metals in slag and flue gas cleaning products will be reduced.

Amounts of flue gas cleaning waste will decrease due to the reduction of PVC incinerated.

D 1.4 Implications for national authorities

The Statutory Order on waste will be revised to state that PVC-containing waste, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment are no longer to be considered as waste suitable for incineration.

In order to protect groundwater, requirements for recycling of residues will be made stricter.

Heavy metal contamination of residues will drop considerably leading to improved quality of slag. However, the present target of 70 per cent recycling of residues by year 2004 is maintained.

D. 1.5 Implications for local authorities

In their future planning, local authorities will ensure that impregnated wood is separated as waste not suitable for incineration. Non-recyclable PVC waste will be landfilled. It is recommended that local authorities assign PVC waste to landfilling in separate cells, allowing subsequent alternative treatment of such waste. When suitable treatment methods have been developed for impregnated wood and PVC waste, new requirements for management of these waste fractions will be made. For waste electrical and electronic equipment, separate collection schemes will be established in order to increase recycling.

D 2 Building and construction sector

D 2.1 Status

	90% recycling of construction and demolition waste
	separation of environmentally harmful waste fractions (PVC, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment)
	increased use of environmentally correct design

Construction and demolition waste covers primarily concrete, asphalt, stone, and other construction and demolition waste. Amounts in 1997 were 3.4 million tonnes. Construction and demolition waste amounts have been increasing in recent years.

The high rate of recycling of construction and demolition waste will be maintained, as recycling of waste saves resources. It is important that recycling takes place with the highest possible respect for groundwater resources. In future, the "cradle-to-grave" concept is to gain wider use in building and construction works, and the use of environmentally correct design will play a more important role so that waste management is taken into consideration already in the design phase.

In 1997, the recycling rate of construction and demolition waste was almost 91 per cent. 8 per cent of total amounts was landfilled, and 1 per cent sent to special treatment⁶². All in all, efforts for this waste fraction must be considered a success, and past objectives of 85 per cent recycling before year 2000 have been achieved. Parallel to increased recycling, a decrease in amounts for landfilling has been registered, leading to reduced need for new landfill capacity in future.

D 2.2 Future initiatives

In 1999, a Statutory Order on recycling of residues and soil for building and construction purposes will be sent to hearing. The purpose of the Statutory Order is to ensure that recycling takes place with largest possible respect for groundwater resources.

A large range of materials and components in the building and construction sector containing environmental contaminants are to be separated. In a first step, requirements will be made for separation of following fractions: PVC, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment.

	requirements for recycling of residues and soil in building and construction works
	requirements for separation of environmentally harmful substances, materials and components (waste electrical and electronic equipment, PVC, and impregnated wood)
	study the possibility of making requirements for use of environmentally correct design
	study the need for separation of other environmentally harmful fractions

A study will be launched to examine the need for separation of other environmentally harmful fractions from the sector. First, the need for separation of metal-containing fractions will be studied.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

The concept of environmentally correct design takes waste prevention and recycling into consideration already in the design phase. The use of environmentally correct design is voluntary today, but the possibility of making it compulsory will be studied in co-operation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

D 2.3 Regulation

In spring 1994, the Minister for Environment and Energy, the National Association of Local Authorities in Denmark, the City of Copenhagen, and the Municipality of Frederiksberg entered an agreement on waste suitable for incineration, construction and demolition waste, organic waste, and landfilling. In connection with this agreement, a Circular was issued on municipal regulations on separation of construction and demolition waste for recycling. The Minister for Environment and Energy also entered an agreement with the Danish Demolition Association⁶⁴ on selective demolition of building materials. With this agreement, separation at source was ensured.

The Circular lays down the requirement that in demolition works involving more than 1 tonne of construction and demolition waste, waste shall be separated at source in clean fractions, so that for example, bricks and concrete are not mixed.

In pursuance of this Circular, local authorities have issued regulations with requirements for separation. These regulations took effect at the latest on 1^st January 1997.

In the regulation of construction and demolition waste, the waste tax has played a significant role, as waste for recycling is not subject to the tax.

Public subsidies for recycling initiatives have also had a significant effect.

D 2.4 Capacity

A large proportion of construction and demolition waste is reprocessed in mobile crushing plants relocated according to needs, and capacity is assessed not to be a barrier to objectives.

D 2.5 Environmental assessment

Separation of environmentally harmful fractions is expected to lead to improved quality in waste treatment. The application of environmentally correct design is expected, in the long term, to lead to a reduction in waste amounts and substitution of materials containing environmental contaminants.

D 2.6 Implications for national authorities

National authorities will be responsible for issuing requirements for recycling of residues and soil in the form of a Statutory Order.

National authorities are also responsible for laying down requirements for separation and collection of certain environmentally harmful fractions⁶⁵.

In co-operation with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, national authorities will study the possibility of mandatory use of environmentally correct design.

D 2.7 Implications for local authorities

At the implementation of the Statutory Order on recycling of residues and soil in building and construction works, local authorities are to prepare a prognosis of landfill capacity needs for inorganic residues and soil to be used for regional authorities' planning.

At the implementation of requirements for separation of certain waste fractions, local councils, in their planning, must take into consideration the mandatory sorting and separate collection of fractions.

D 3 Households

D 3.0.1 Status

	increased focus on link between material consumption and waste amounts.
	maintenance of return bottle system.
	increased collection of hazardous waste from households

Household waste covers domestic waste, bulky waste and garden waste. In 1997, 28 per cent was recycled, 56 per cent incinerated, and 15 per cent landfilled. One per cent was subjected to special treatment. Some household waste is hazardous waste.

On 1^st January 1997 a ban was introduced on landfilling of waste suitable for incineration. This ban is expected to shift waste from landfilling to incineration or recycling.

Household waste amounted to 2,776,000 tonnes in 1997⁶⁶. From 1994 to 1997, an increase in household waste amounts of 200,000 tonnes was registered. This increase is mainly attributable to garden waste.

There was also a slight increase for bulky waste which may be due to extended municipal schemes in recent years. In addition, purchasing power, and thereby consumption of durable consumer goods, has increased.

Consumer habits are decisive for waste amount developments in households. Purchase of goods with a long lifetime and of environmentally high quality will, all other things being equal, result in decreasing waste amounts.

Household waste contains environmentally harmful waste fractions causing problems in waste management. Citizens will, to a far larger extent, have the opportunity to separate these fractions for separate treatment (PVC, impregnated wood, waste electrical and electronic equipment).

In most municipalities, management of household waste is financed by an overall waste collection fee. There is no incentive for individuals to reduce amounts of waste or increase recycling, but neither is there a gain from disposing of waste in an environmentally inappropriate manner (fly-tipping).

Household hazardous waste is found both in domestic waste and bulky waste. It may be residues from chemical substances and products, paint residues, medicine residues, batteries etc., which citizens want to discard. Hazardous waste from households is to be collected separately.

Today, many different collection schemes have been established, all with the objective that citizens can easily dispose of hazardous waste.

Collection schemes must be adapted to the different conditions prevailing in urban and rural municipalities, and in single-family housing and housing estates. Another difference is found in waste management organisation that differs from one municipality to another.

Some local authorities have introduced green collection vehicles that collect hazardous waste in residential areas at certain intervals. Other local authorities have introduced kerbside collection schemes for hazardous waste, using special containers.

Certain schemes involve retailers, and citizens may deliver hazardous waste to shops selling the products (medicine residues to pharmacies, paint and varnish residues to paint shops, batteries to shops selling new batteries). In some municipalities, bring schemes have been established with containers at different locations in the community.

In addition, local authorities have established permanent recycling centres (collection banks) where citizens can bring various waste types, including hazardous waste.

Studies have shown that in municipalities with kerbside collection, hazardous waste amounts collected are largest.

D 3.0.2 Future initiatives

Information campaigns will be launched giving concrete recommendations on, for example, quality/durable products, products manufactured from recyclates, reuseable packaging and packaged goods etc. Information campaigns will be carried out in co-operation between the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the National Consumer Agency of Denmark. The effects from this initiative should be seen in the long term.

	information campaign on link between material consumption and waste amounts.
	processing of experience from differentiated waste collection fees
	information on management of hazardous waste
	preparation of guidelines for hazardous waste

Experience with differentiated waste collection fees based on weight or volume is to be collected and processed. This experience will give the basis for assessing whether differentiated fees in general will give greater incentives for individual citizens to increase recycling and prevent waste arisings.

Citizens are to be informed of types of hazardous waste and municipal schemes in their community.

Rules on household hazardous waste will be clarified in a guideline on hazardous waste.

D 3.0.3 Regulation

Management of household waste, including household hazardous waste is regulated in the Statutory Order on waste⁶⁷. Waste must be collected by the local authority.

D 3.0.4 Environmental assessment

Waste prevention reduces resource consumption and amounts of waste to be managed.

Improved collection of hazardous waste will ensure environmentally appropriate management of waste.

D 3.0.5 Implications for national authorities

An information campaign will be launched on the link between consumption and waste arisings. Experience from differentiated waste collection fees will be collected and processed.

A guideline will be prepared on hazardous waste, covering waste both from enterprises and households.

D 3.0.6 Implications for local authorities

In their information efforts, local authorities are to focus on the link between consumption and increasing waste amounts - and in this connection on behavioural changes that may contribute to waste prevention.

Local authorities will inform citizens on municipal schemes for hazardous waste.

D 3.1 Domestic waste from households

D 3.1.1 Status

30 % recycling of domestic waste

40-50% recycling of domestic waste

Recycling of domestic waste is to be increased. This can be achieved by citizens increasing separation of glass, paper and cardboard, as well as separation of the organic fraction of domestic waste.

Today, separate collection of paper and glass is ensured as a consequence of regulations, whereas separate collection of organic domestic waste is less widespread.

In 1997, domestic waste amounts were 1,621,000 tonnes. This is more or less identical to amounts in 1994. In 1997, the rate of recycling was 15 per cent⁶⁸.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

Packaging waste accounts for around one quarter of domestic waste, corresponding to 425,000 tonnes. Around 30 per cent is material recycled, and 70 per cent is incinerated.

Two thirds of waste packaging for incineration consist of cardboard, paper, and plastic. The rest is glass, steel, and aluminium packaging. Glass is not suitable for incineration, whereas a certain proportion of aluminium packaging is recovered. Steel packaging may be recovered after incineration, as iron is separated from slag by magnets. It is sold as incineration scrap.

Separation of plastic and cardboard may be improved, ensuring recycling to a larger extent than today.

D 3.1.2 Future initiatives

	collection and processing of experience from use of differentiated waste collection fees
	increased recycling of organic waste, paper, cardboard, and glass
	study of possibilities for recycling plastic drums and bottles

For domestic waste, the use of differentiated waste collection fees is possible today. Experience from differentiation of waste collection fees based on weight or volume will be collected and processed to form the basis for local decisions on the introduction of differentiated waste collection fees.

Separate collection of glass, paper and cardboard, and organic domestic waste will be enhanced. See also under separate fractions in Appendix E.

Environmental and economic advantages from recycling of plastic drums and bottles will be studied. Results of the studies will be assessed and disseminated to relevant operators.

D 3.1.3 Regulation

In areas with more than 1,000 inhabitants, domestic waste must be collected⁶⁹. In rural areas, waste shall be assigned to treatment. Mixed domestic waste shall be assigned to incineration.

Newspapers, magazines and glass must be collected for recycling from built-up areas with more than 2,000 households.

Local councils may establish collection schemes or other common schemes for other fractions.

Citizens, freeholders, enterprises, and institutions have a duty to use municipal schemes.

Local councils may assign waste suitable for incineration to temporary storage, though for a duration of maximum one year. Domestic waste and other putrescible waste may not be assigned to temporary storage.

D 3.1.4 Environmental assessment

Increased recycling reduces resource consumption and amounts of waste for incineration.

D 3.1.5 Implications for national authorities

A study will be launched to survey the effect of recycling of plastic drums.

D 3.1.6 Implications for local authorities

Depending on the results of the above study on plastic drums, it may be possible in the planning period to establish special bring schemes for this fraction.

D 3.2 Bulky waste

D 3.2.1 Status

	25% recycling
	37.5% incineration
	37.5% landfilling

Recycling of bulky waste may be increased through enhanced separation of household waste.

In many municipalities, staffed recycling centres have been established in recent years. However, there are big variations in which and how many waste fractions are separated. Recycling centres are often supplemented by separate collection schemes.

With stricter requirements for bulky waste schemes with regard to separation of waste fractions or special treatment, citizens may contribute actively to increased recycling.

Amounts of bulky waste have been increasing due to, for example, the establishment of separate collection schemes and staffed recycling centres. Part of this waste is therefore no longer disposed of in other ways. From 1996 to 1997 amounts decreased, however, by 51,000 tonnes.

In 1997, bulky waste amounted to 588,000 tonnes. Of this, 17 per cent was recycled, 41 per cent incinerated, and 42 per cent landfilled.

Due to different methods of calculation in local administrations, figures for bulky waste are uncertain. In some administrations, bulky waste is stated as such, and in other administrations it is stated as industrial waste. Therefore, objectives for recycling, incineration and landfilling should be assessed with certain reservations⁷⁰.

The ban on landfilling of waste suitable for incineration which took effect on 1^st January 1997, will reduce amounts of bulky waste for landfilling.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

Bulky waste covers many different materials, and one overall effort for increased recycling is not ideal. Efforts will therefore be directed specifically at single fractions.

D 3.2.2 Future initiatives

requirements for bulky waste schemes will be assessed

The possibility of increasing recycling by making requirements for bulky waste schemes will be assessed.

Cardboard and waste electrical and electronic equipment fraction will be collected separately for recycling. The impregnated wood fraction will be considered as waste not suitable for incineration. Recyclable PVC waste will be separated and assigned to recycling. Non-recyclable PVC waste will be separated and landfilled. It is recommended that local authorities assign PVC waste to landfilling in separate cells, allowing subsequent alternative treatment of such waste. See also under separate fractions in Appendix E.

D 3.2.3 Regulation

Local councils must assign treatment methods for bulky waste, and they must ensure that citizens separate waste suitable for incineration.

D 3.2.4 Environmental assessment

Efforts to increase recycling will ensure utilisation of resources in waste and reduce the need for incineration and landfill capacity. Separate treatment of a number of bulky waste fractions will reduce the contents of environmental contaminants in incineration slag.

D 3.2.5 Implications for national authorities

The Statutory Order on waste will be revised to state that cardboard, PVC-containing waste, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment is no longer considered as waste suitable for incineration.

D 3.2.6 Implications for local authorities

Local authorities are to consider possible improvements in existing bulky waste schemes. They must prepare for requirements for separate collection, recycling, separate treatment, or landfilling of certain bulky waste fractions such as cardboard, waste electrical and electronic equipment, PVC, and impregnated wood.

D 3.3 Garden waste

D 3.3.1 Status

95% recycling of garden waste

As much as 97 per cent of garden waste was recycled in central composting plants in 1997, which is above the target of 85 per cent for year 2000. As a consequence, landfilling of garden waste decreased from 10 per cent in 1994 to 1 per cent in 1997. It is not considered possible to increase the rate of recycling of garden waste.

Home composting has been promoted for a number of years through information campaigns, and local authorities have established schemes and composting plants for garden waste on a voluntary basis. Efforts for garden waste are considered very successful.

In addition to home composting, garden waste is collected in municipal recycling schemes. Amounts have increased considerably in recent years, from 290,000 tonnes in 1994 to 443,000 tonnes in 1997. This is due to increased use of schemes and improved collection of data on garden waste.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

D 3.3.2 Future initiatives

maintain present efforts

Present efforts will be maintained, and no new initiatives are called for.

D 3.3.3 Regulation

Local councils must assign garden waste to treatment. Garden waste may be treated in home composting without authorisation from local councils, insofar as rules in relevant regulations are complied with.

Incineration of waste is only permitted in approved plants. Local councils may authorise private burning of garden waste.

D 3.3.4 Implications for national authorities

None.

D 3.3.5 Implications for local authorities

Local councils will continue their information efforts concerning schemes for home composting and/or collection and central composting. They will ensure that the present recycling rate for garden waste is maintained.

D 4 Industry

	65 % recycling of waste from industry
	maximum 15 % landfilling
	improved collection of hazardous waste

D 4.1.1 Status

Industrial waste in this connection means waste from discarded products and production waste from manufacturing enterprises.

Waste prevention must be improved, and recycling of industrial waste must be increased - also when it comes to hazardous waste. Environmentally harmful fractions must be separated, and technologies are to be developed so that energy and raw material resources are utilised to a maximum extent.

Industrial waste amounts increased by almost 4 per cent from 1996 to 1997. In 1997, industrial waste amounted to 2,736,000 tonnes. The objective for recycling year 2004 is 65 per cent, and amounts of waste landfilled must not exceed 15 per cent⁷¹.

Focus will be put on industrial waste and the loss of resources connected with waste generation. Information on, for example, waste generation, waste composition, and possibilities of separating environmental contaminants in waste will in future be important elements of green accounts and environmental approvals, as well as environmental management.

Different strategies for waste prevention will be used for process waste and waste from discarded products.

In 1997, a good quarter of waste was landfilled, whereas 58 per cent was recycled and 14 per cent incinerated⁷². Amounts and composition of waste differ very much and depend on the sector generating the waste and the size and number of enterprises. Possibilities of recycling or reducing waste amounts are therefore very different from one waste fraction to another and from one sector to another.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

For sectors with many small enterprises, it may be crucial to collect waste in larger units so that supply and economy allow for recycling.

The figure below shows a statement of industrial waste divided by form of treatment. It is seen that the fractions "iron and metal", "various burnable", and "various non-burnable", as well as "beet soil" account for the largest quantities of industrial waste.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

The fraction "various non-burnable" is mainly landfilled. This fraction covers primarily beet soil, foundry waste, and waste from scrap enterprises. It should, however, be considered whether it is possible to recycle beet soil instead of landfilling this fraction.

	evaluation of experience with waste consultants
	focus on waste in environmental approvals, green accounts, and environmental management
	establishment of waste exchanges
	implementation of the IPPC Directive
	separation of recyclable fractions from burnable waste
	enhancement of local councils' responsibility for increased separation of cardboard and paper
	guidelines on hazardous waste

D 4.1.2 Future initiatives

The different schemes and experience with waste consultants will be evaluated.

Waste prevention

Information on waste amounts, composition, and possibilities of recycling will be improved in future preparation of environmental approvals, green accounts, and in the establishment of environmental management in enterprises.

Environmental approvals will be improved with respect to waste. In the implementation of the IPPC Directive73, the section on waste will be given priority.

The evaluation of green accounts is expected to be completed in September 1999. In this connection it will be evaluated whether regulation must be adjusted, or whether further information is to be prepared for enterprises - also on waste.

Preparation of a number of sector-specific reports may lead to increased use of environmental management in enterprises.

Recycling

In 1999, a workshop will be organised in which it will be discussed how to improve the market for recyclable materials and increase recycling, including how possibilities for establishing waste exchanges may be improved.

	Burnable waste contains recyclable fractions that must be separated because they may be recycled or contain environmental contaminants. In future, in addition to cardboard and paper, industry must also separate plastic, waste electrical and electronic equipment, and impregnated wood (see Appendix E).
	Hazardous waste. Schemes will be established especially for sectors with many small enterprises for which it is a prerequisite for recycling that waste is collected into larger units. It will be studied whether the waste tax may contribute to increased recycling of hazardous waste (see Appendix E). Furthermore, a guideline will be prepared on hazardous waste, clarifying present rules.

Collection of cardboard and paper from commerce and industry can be increased. In 1999, guidelines will be prepared, clarifying the responsibility for separation of this fraction (see Appendix E).

Landfilling

Overall, too large amounts of industrial waste are landfilled. Especially waste from foundries and scrap enterprises account for significant amounts. Specific initiatives are directed at specific fractions. See Appendix E on foundry and shredder waste, electronics, refrigeration equipment, and end-of-life vehicles.

D 4.1.3 Regulation

Management of industrial waste is regulated in the Statutory Order on waste⁷⁴. Enterprises are responsible for knowing the composition of waste, including the assessment whether waste is hazardous. If this is so, the local council must be notified.

Local authorities must assign disposal possibilities for waste generated. Local councils must establish collection or bring schemes for hazardous waste from enterprises.

Today, enterprises must separate paper, cardboard, carton, steel drums, and plastic transport packaging for recycling⁷⁵.

With the above new initiatives, requirements will be made for separation of recyclable and environmentally harmful waste fractions such as PVC, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment (see also Appendix E).

D 4.1.4 Environmental assessment

Increased separation of environmentally harmful waste fractions will lead to better recycling possibilities for residues. Separation of recyclable fractions from the burnable waste fraction will also mean that resources in waste are utilised, and that the need for incineration capacity is reduced.

D 4.1.5 Implications for national authorities

The Statutory Order on waste will be revised to give requirements for increased separation of environmentally harmful waste fractions and recyclable fractions.

A workshop will be organised on the possibilities of increased recycling by, for example, the establishment of waste exchanges.

A guideline on hazardous waste will be prepared.

A guideline on cardboard and paper will be prepared.

A number of sector-specific reports will be prepared.

In the implementation of the IPPC Directive, focus will be put on enterprises' waste management.

In the evaluation of green accounts in 1999, it will be assessed whether waste management issues are sufficiently clarified.

D 4.1.6 Implications for local authorities

Local authorities will ensure source separation of cardboard, plastic, impregnated wood, and waste electrical and electronic equipment. Local authorities will assign separated waste fractions for recycling, landfilling, or special treatment.

D 5 Institutions, trade and offices

D 5.1.1 Status

	50% recycling
	45% incineration
	5% landfilling

This sector covers waste from institutions, trade, and private and public offices, i.e. the service sector.

This waste covers many different waste fractions, and often the composition is not known. This causes difficulties in making focused efforts for the sector as a whole.

Amounts of waste from institutions, trade and offices are increasing. Recycling of waste from this sector must be increased, and environmentally harmful fractions must be separated for special treatment. Enterprises and public and private institutions play an important role in increasing separation of recyclable materials and environmentally harmful fractions.

Total waste amounts were 861,000 tonnes in 1997⁷⁶. Amounts from the service sector increased steeply - by a good 25 per cent - from 1994 to 1995, whereas amounts only increased by between 1 and 2 per cent from 1995 to 1997.

In 1997, the rate of recycling was 38 per cent which is below the target of 60 per cent for year 2000. 41 per cent was incinerated and 20 per cent landfilled, whereas 2 per cent was transferred to special treatment. As considerable changes have been seen in amounts and composition of waste from the service sector, the objective for recycling is reduced to 50 per cent, and it is not expected to be possible to avoid landfilling completely.

A few local authorities and waste companies have engaged waste consultants with the task of increasing information on municipal regulations and to guide enterprises to more environmentally appropriate waste management. Existing schemes for waste consultants will be evaluated.

In 1998, a study was carried out to clarify barriers to increased recycling of waste suitable for incineration. The resulting report gives a number of recommendations to overcome these barriers. It is recommended that local authorities do more fieldwork at enterprises (for example in the form of waste consultant schemes), that easier schemes are introduced for small enterprises, or that monitoring is introduced at waste incineration plants in order to avoid delivery of recyclable waste.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

D 5.1.2 Future initiatives

	increased recycling of paper, cardboard, plastic and glass
	separation of environmentally harmful fractions such as batteries, tyres, PVC, waste electrical and electronic equipment, and refrigeration equipment
	re-evaluation of existing schemes for organic waste and waste oil
	evaluation of waste consultant schemes
	survey of waste composition

A number of initiatives launched in this sector will be directed at specific fractions.

Recycling of cardboard and paper, glass, and plastic from institutions, trade and offices should be increased (see Appendix E).

Environmentally harmful fractions such as batteries, tyres, PVC, waste electrical and electronic equipment, and refrigeration equipment are to be separated for special treatment (see Appendix E).

Existing schemes for organic waste and waste oil will be re-evaluated (see Appendix E).

Various schemes and experience with waste consultants will be evaluated.

A survey of waste composition will be carried out, focusing on landfilled waste and on the recycling potential.

D 5.1.3 Regulation

Local councils must assign disposal possibilities for waste generated in this sector.

Today, enterprises, institutions, offices etc. must separate cardboard, paper, carton, steel drums, and transport packaging of plastic for recycling.

In 1994, an agreement was made between the Ministry of Environment and Energy and the Confederation of Danish Industries, the Danish Plastics Federation and the Packaging Industry on transport packaging. The agreement set up the objective that 80 per cent of transport packaging of plastic, and cardboard and paper should be recycled before year 2000, either by reuse or material recycling. In 1998, the agreement was adjusted so that the definition of transport packaging now follows the definition given in the EU packaging Directive, and so that the objectives set in percentages now only apply to material recycling.

D 5.1.4 Capacity

For the major part of recyclable fractions, treatment capacity is sufficient. For several environmentally harmful fractions, treatment methods have not yet been fully developed.

D 5.1.5 Environmental assessment

Efforts for increased recycling will reduce the need for incineration and landfill capacity and ensure utilisation of resources in waste.

D 5.1.6 Implications for national authorities

The Statutory Order on waste will be revised to state that environmentally harmful waste fractions are to be separated for special treatment. A guideline for collection of cardboard and paper will be prepared.

D 5.1.7 Implications for local authorities

Local authorities will improve information on existing schemes, and enhance supervision at enterprises and institutions in this sector, especially concerning the duty to use assignment schemes for recyclable waste.

D 6 Power plants

Objective year 2004

	90% recycling of residues from coal-fired power plants
	reduce coal-based energy generation
	ensure that recycling of bioash takes place in an environmentally appropriate manner

D 6.1.1 Status

Danish power supply has primarily been based on coal. In 1996, the Danish Government presented a comprehensive plan of action for energy - Energy 21 - which will ensure that Denmark contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions by 20 per cent in year 2005 compared to the 1988 level.

The target of Energy 21 is to reduce energy consumption by utilising energy more efficiently, and to convert supply from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources.

As a consequence, the use of coal as fuel will be phased out almost completely, in parallel to an increase of energy generation based on renewable energy, including biofuel, within the next 30 years.

The use of biofuel primarily takes place today at plants that only generate heating. In the extension in the coming years, biomass will be used to a far larger extent at power generating plants, as new technology is developed.

In energy generation, varying amounts of residues are generated. Oil and natural gas-fired power plants, for example, generate hardly any residues.

Amounts of residues generated depend on power generation and also on imports/exports of power. Waste amounts from power plants can therefore only be reduced by reducing the generation of power, increasing energy efficiency of power plants, or by phasing out fuels that cause generation of waste, such as coal.

The phasing-out of coal-based energy generation will have a decisive influence on amounts of residues generated, and amounts are expected to drop significantly over the next 30 years. Correspondingly, increasing use of biofuel will lead to increasing amounts of bioash. Recycling of this waste fraction will be prioritised in the coming years.

So far, residues from coal-fired power plants have accounted for the largest waste fraction from power plants.

Residues from coal-fired power plants cover slag, fly ash, gypsum, TASP and sulphuric acid. Residues contain a number of heavy metals, and thereby possibilities of recycling are limited.

The objective for recycling of residues from coal-fired power plants has been achieved with a recycling rate in 1997 of 73 per cent⁷⁷. A total of 1,775,000 tonnes residues were generated in 1997. The objective in year 2004 is 90 per cent recycling of residues from coal-fired power plants.

implementation of Energy 21

D 6.1.2 Future initiatives

Energy 21 will be implemented. The Plan of Action is part of the Government's efforts against climate change. The phasing-out of coal-fired power plants will, however, also lead to a reduction of residues.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

D 6.1.3 Regulation

Since the amendment to the waste tax in December 1998, the tax now also includes landfilling of residues in the high rate for landfilling. This gives a further incentive to reduce amounts of residues or alternatively to recycle residues.

Energy 21 will lead to a conversion from the use of fossil fuel to renewable energy sources.

D 6.1.4 Environmental assessment

In the long term, residues from coal-based energy generation will disappear, as energy generation based on coal is phased out. As a consequence, leaching of metals and salts from such residues will stop. The fertilising content of bioash will be utilised.

D 6.1.5 Implications for national authorities

None.

D 6.1.6 Implications for local authorities

None

D 7 Wastewater treatment plants

D 7.1.1 Status

50% recycling of sludge by application to farmland

In 1987, the Folketing adopted an Aquatic Environment Plan according to which all wastewater treatment plants with a capacity above 5,000 person equivalents were to improve wastewater treatment before 1^st January 1993. The extension of treatment plants was completed in the beginning of 1996.

Waste from wastewater treatment plants covers sludge, sand, and screenings. In 1997, around 1,248,000 tonnes waste were generated (wet weight) at municipal wastewater treatment plants. Sludge accounts for 1,209,000 tonnes. No significant changes are expected in future.

Of total waste amounts from wastewater treatment plants, 70 per cent was recycled in 1997. 20 per cent was incinerated and 10 per cent landfilled. This means that the Government's objective of 50 per cent recycling in year 2000 has been attained.

The introduction in 1997 of requirements for the contents of certain organic chemical substances in sludge is expected to lead to a need for alternatives to application to farmland in a transitional period.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review no. 1, 1999 from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency

D 7.1.2 Future initiatives

In the long term, it is expected that the quality of sludge and possibilities of recycling will be improved through the general policy of phasing-out environmental contaminants. The contents of these substances in sludge will thereby be reduced.

D 7.1.3 Regulation

Application of sludge to farmland is regulated in the Statutory Order on sludge⁷⁸, and the Statutory Order of the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries on inspection of the quality of municipal sewage sludge and composted household waste applied to farmland⁷⁹. The Statutory Order on sludge lays down limit values for a number of heavy metals, and cut-off values for organic xenobiotic substances NPE, DEHP, LAS and certain PAHs. Cut-off values for organic substances took effect on 1^st July 1997 and will, together with limit values for cadmium, become stricter as per 1^st July 2000.

D 7.1.4 Environmental assessment

In the long term, contents of xenobiotic substances in sludge are expected to decrease.

D 7.1.5 Implications for national authorities

None.

D 7.1.6 Implications for local authorities

None.

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