Waste generated by the Industry target sector: terms and definitions
Industrial waste
Industrial waste can be classified in various ways, for example according to its origin within industry or according to the nature of the waste or type of material. A relatively limited proportion of the total flow of industrial waste consists of dangerous waste. This was recently defined as waste as designated by the European waste list. Another common distinction is based on process waste and non-process waste, mainly packaging waste and office and restaurant waste. The process waste accounts for the largest proportion.
Delimitation
The delimitation of the concept of waste is sometimes awkward, particularly in the Industry target sector. These are the 'residuals', where the distinction between waste materials and by-products cannot not always be made clearly. Examples are:
- residues of industrial bulk processes, such as ore residues from the base metal or chemicals industry.
- residues of agricultural products generated by the food industry.
In the past, the Environmental Data Compendium sometimes presented two sets of figures for industrial waste, one using the 'broad' definition and the other the 'strict' definition. The broad definition relates to industrial waste, including residuals. The strict definition relates to waste without residuals.
Starting in this Environmental Data Compendium, the 'broad' definition will be used for all the waste from industry. This broad definition also fits in with the waste policy of the Ministry of the Environment. Previous years have been adjusted to include all residuals of an animal and vegetable nature from the food products, beverages and tobacco industry, as well as slag from the chemistry and basic metals industry. The same applies to sulphur from oil refineries, that is used as a raw material for sulphuric acid.
This 'broad' definition for the waste from the Industry target sector now applies to all indicators:
- Waste generation by industry, details of waste streams 2001 and 2002
Total amount of waste produced and processing methods. - Waste from industry: supply by sector in the Netherlands, 2001 and 2002*
In the years before 2001, estimates were only included for the share from smaller companies (less than 10 employees) for slaughterhouse waste and wood. This was approximately 400 million kg.
With effect from 2001, estimates are included for all other waste from the smaller companies. This resulted in an increase of approximately 300 million kg more waste. This brings the proportion from smaller companies to 3 or 4% of the total industrial waste supply. This should be borne in mind when making comparisons with previous years since those years have not been adjusted accordingly.
