Waste Framework Directive
Council Directive 2008/98/EC is more commonly known as the Waste Framework Directive.
The Waste Framework Directive sets out the basic concepts and definitions related to waste management introducing a robust regulatory framework for managing the risks to human health and the environment.
One of the main features of the Waste Framework Directive is the waste hierarchy. The waste hierarchy ranks actions from most to least favoured:
- prevention
- re-use
- recycle
- other recovery
- disposal.
The waste hierarchy places a strong emphasis on waste prevention or minimisation of waste. Where prevention or minimisation is not possible, such as dredging is required to ensure navigational safety, management options for dealing with dredged material should be to re-use, to recycle, other recovery and disposal should only be a last option.
Disposal is subject to extensive control, driven by:
- international law and treaties (London Convention, the OSPAR Convention, Waste Framework Directive, Water Framework Directive)
- UK law (such the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, the Offshore Marine Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c) Regulations 2007, Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010).
Further information
Marine licensing guidance 3: Dredging, disposal and aggregate dredging (PDF 636 KB)
Contact information
Marine Licensing Team
Marine Management Organisation
Lancaster House
Hampshire Court
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE4 7YH
Tel: 0300 123 1032
Fax: 0191 376 2681
Email: marine.consents@
marinemanagement.org.uk
Guidance documents
Marine licensing guidance 3: Dredging, disposal and aggregate dredging (PDF 636 KB)
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