Hazardous waste in the Netherlands by processing method, 1990-2000
| 1990 | 1995 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | |
| million kg | |||||
| Total1) | 555 | 783 | 1 497 | 1 458 | 1 745 |
| Reuse/recovery | 70 | 159 | 278 | 283 | 339 |
| Physicochemical processing 2) | 120 | 158 | 601 | 532 | 627 |
| Incineration | 202 | 256 | 246 | 290 | 389 |
| Landfill | 163 | 210 | 372 | 353 | 390 |
| Source: VROM, LMA. | RIVM/EDC/Oct02 | ||||
| 1) Excluding contaminated soil and ship-generated waste. Approximately 20% of all hazardous waste has been processed abroad since 1998. 2) Physicochemical processing includes detoxification, neutralisation and dehydration. The aim is to separate hazardous waste into sub-streams which can be recovered or which can be incinerated or dumped with fewer environmental consequences. The residual water is discharged in controlled conditions. | |||||
Developments in the processing of hazardous waste
The quantity of hazardous waste registered has tripled since 1990. Over 30% of this waste is now subject to physicochemical processing. This involves the separation of hazardous waste by means of physical or chemical processes. The sub-streams can, after separation, be reused, incinerated or discharged (separate water stream after treatment). Waste is mostly incinerated in dedicated furnaces, with increasing amounts of hazardous waste being incinerated abroad, for instance in cement kilns. Hazardous waste is sent to landfill on dedicated sites or dedicated parts of those sites.
Technical note
The total amount of processed hazardous waste is different from the total supply of registered hazardous waste. Hazardous-waste processing separates and mixes waste flows. In certain cases, this processed waste is re-registered with the LMA. Stock differences also arise when waste is stored for a period prior to processing.
References
- VROM (2002). Informatiedocument gevaarlijk afval 1998-2000. Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment, The Hague.
Relevant sections and indicators in the Environmental Data Compendium
- Waste Management theme: Dutch policy
- Waste generation and method of processing, 1985-2001
- Hazardous waste in the Netherlands by sub-stream, 1990-2000
- Hazardous waste in the Netherlands by target sector and branch, 2000
- Guide to 'Emissions and waste by target sector' section
This section contains data about the waste generated by target sector, such as the industry and consumers target sectors. - Guide to 'Waste management measures' section
This section describes the measures taken in the Netherlands to process waste.
