Boost alternative energy from waste

A major part of Municipal Solid Waste is biodegradable, which is considered as biomass and therefore sustainable energy.

This alternative energy source should be promoted for its:
contribution to climate protection by reducing fossil fuel consumption and landfill methane emissions, and
security of energy supply for Europe, as Waste-to-Energy is a stable and reliable energy source.

Reducing dependence on landfills

CEWEP aims to highlight that recycling and energy recovery are complementary options in order to divert waste from landfilling. 

To avoid wasting natural resources and reducing landfill methane emissions combustible waste should not be landfilled, but treated, in a more sustainable way, in Waste-to-Energy Plants that produce energy from the waste.


Level playing field

The main challenge facing EU waste policy is to move towards a level playing field for waste treatment across the Community. This means applying the same environmental requirements for all plants. Industrial plants that co-incinerate waste, must also meet the same requirements on emissions as Waste-to-Energy Plants.  

To prevent ‘eco-dumping’ and ’sham recovery’, quality standards for recovery should be determined. Once this is the case, the incentives for inappropriate waste shipments should decrease.


Promote Public Participation

CEWEP provides information to the public on emission levels, energy efficiency, on the technology of Waste-to-Energy and Waste-to-Energy Plants’ contribution to climate protection in order to raise citizens’ awareness of the need to treat waste in a sustainable way.


Representation at the European level

CEWEP represents European Waste-to-Energy Plants at the EU level, through thorough analysis of legislation on the environment, on sustainable development and by providing information on the Waste-to-Energy sector to the Commission, Council and European Parliament.

Through this work CEWEP intends to participate in the decision making process from the earliest stage, closely in contact with the decision makers within the European Institutions. 


Promote exchange of experience, research and development

CEWEP serves as a platform for the exchange of experience between members, advances scientific, technical and practical aspects of Waste-to-Energy and promotes research, development and dissemination of knowledge towards sustainable waste management and energy recovery.