National Waste Management Plan

The National Waste Management Plan consists of two parts:

• a policy framework
• sector plans

Policy framework

The policy framework sets out the main points of waste policy. For example, it covers the national objectives for the separate collection of waste and general principles for the use of instruments such as licensing and enforcement. The policy framework also describes international aspects of waste policy and the Netherlands' position in international discussions on waste.

Sector plans
The sector plans flesh out the policy framework for specific categories of waste. Each sector plan describes the policy for the relevant waste as well as particular aspects relating to licensing and imports and exports. The National Waste Management Plan contains 85 sector plans in all.

Progress report
A report is published on the progress being made with the various activities. This report is only available in Dutch: Nederlands Afval in Cijfers, with a summary in English.

Status and scope

The National Waste Management Plan covers all waste to which the Environmental Management Act applies. This Act stipulates that all authorities must observe the National Waste Management Plan. For more information about the National Waste Management Plan's legal status, the significance of the plan for the various authorities and the waste that falls under the scope of the plan, see under the header 'Scope'.

Questions
If you have any questions about the National Waste Management Plan and are unable to find the information on this site, please contact the information desk.

Related Internet Links
The website on the Third Waste Management Plan (2017-2023) (English pages).

Legal status
Pursuant to the Environmental Management Act, the Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management is required to draw up a waste management plan at least once every six years. The plan covers the main points of policy on waste management, circular economy, details of the main aspects for individual types of waste and the policy on the import and export of waste. The National Waste Management Plan also complies with the obligation, derived from various EU directives, to formulate explicit policy or devise certain programmes relating to the various aspects of waste management.

Effects
All authorities must take into account the National Waste Management Plan when dealing with aspects of waste management.

Central government must take into account environmental aspects when making policy plans and issuing decisions. In the case of waste management, the National Waste Management Plan is the frame of reference. For the Environment Minister, the National Waste Management Plan is the yardstick for issuing:

• collection permits for certain categories of (hazardous) waste
• decisions on notifications of the proposed import, export and transhipment of waste based on the EU Waste Shipments Regulation.

For the provincial and municipal authorities and the water quality managers the National Waste Management Plan is the yardstick against which they check all authorisations granted by virtue of the Environmental Management Act involving waste. This not only applies to permits for waste management establishments, but also to authorisations for companies where there is waste.

Scope

The National Waste Management Plan is intended for waste which is subject to the Environmental Management Act. The following waste does not come under the National Waste Management Plan:

• Radioactive waste: this is subject to the Nuclear Energy Act and the Policy Document on Radioactive Waste.
• Manure surpluses: this is governed by the Fertilisers Act.
• Dry rendering waste: this is governed by the Dry Rendering Act. In view of the possible effect of the processing of dry rendering waste on the waste disposal structure, a sector plan for animal waste is included in the National Waste Management Plan.
• Communal waste water (sewage water): subject to Chapter 10 of the Environmental Management Act, and the Policy Document on Water Management.