Biodegradability of Landfilled MSW in EU: Past, Present and Future

Landfilling is still the most common municipal solid waste (MSW) management option in many European Union (EU) countries. In last few years, with the introduction of the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) and the Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC), the situation is changing. Indeed, apart from a series of priorities related to prevention, recycling and reuse, all the waste must be pre-treated before its disposal and a few targets have been introduced concerning the decrease of the biodegradable materials allowed for landfilling: 50% less before 2013 and 65% less before 2020, setting the reference quantity as the one in 1995.