Indicator
Waste is defined according to the definition set in EU legislation as “any substance, material or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard” (EU Waste Framework Directive 2008). The classification of processing activities is based on D-codes (disposal) and R-codes (recovery), as defined in the EU’s Waste Framework Directive. (see indicator 10)
European end-of-waste criteria allow for certain products and materials, such as iron, steel, aluminium and copper scrap and glass cullet, to lose their waste status after recycling, and become secondary raw materials. Government registration is required in these cases.
For all other materials, local end-of-waste criteria apply. In Flanders these are defined in the material decree (VLAREMA). These can be specific to the application or general. In some cases an end-of-waste certification (grondstofverklaring) can be acquired to prove that the relevant criteria are met and the material has become a secondary raw material and thus is no longer considered waste. In Flanders, these certifications are issued by the Public Waste Agency.
For this indicator, processing is defined as all types of possible waste treatment which waste undergoes (R2-R13 codes), until it offcially reaches secondary raw material status. The port area is defined as the geographical territory managed by the Port Management Body (PMB).
This indicator gives more insight into the port as a material processing hub. It looks at waste being processed within the port area. This waste can originate from within the port area or be transported into it.
How to measure its value
The share of processed waste is calculated relative to the total amount of waste processed or disposed, allowing for a comparison between disposal (D-codes) and energy recovery (R1-code) on the one hand, and other recovery activities (R2-R13 codes) on the other hand.
Data can be obtained from waste processors in the port area and/or the public waste agency. In Flanders this data is available is through OVAM (Matis database and list of authorised processors).
Limitations
- A small portion of the processed waste has not been assigned a D- or R-code.
- It is important to take into account the size and type of port when making inter-port comparisons.
- Other regions and countries might not have access to a detailed database such as MATIS in Flanders.
- Limitation of the indicator to the port area omits any waste processed just outside of the port area which may still be closely linked to port activities.
Recommended Read
Website grondstoffenverklaring OVAM