The main European legislation is presented below in chronological order, from the most recent to the oldest.

2^nd May 2022: 8th Environment Action Programme. New waste management priority for the transition to a circular economy (by 2030) – 8^th Environment Action Programme.

12^th May 2021: Zero Pollution Action Plan. Reduction of waste generation and increase in waste prevention measures (by 2030) – Zero Pollution Action Plan.

11^th March 2020: A new Circular Economy Action Plan. Avoidance of unnecessary loss of valuable resources through landfilling and incineration. Improved planning to avoid excess incineration capacity – A new Circular Economy Action Plan.

15^th January 2020: European Green Deal. A sustainable policy aimed at significantly reducing waste. EU model for separate waste collection – European Green Deal.

2^nd December 2015: 1st Circular Economy Action Plan. Increase in the recycling and reuse of products. Reduce the presence of hazardous chemicals in products. Accelerate enforcement of the waste transport regulation (by 2019) – 1st Circular Economy Action Plan.

30^th December 2014: Decision 2014/955/EU. amending Decision 2000/532/EC as regards the list of waste in accordance with Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the European Council – List of Waste (LoW).

20^th November 2013: 7th Environment Action Programme. Protection of human health and the environment via waste reduction and management, through waste hierarchy (by 2020) – 7th Environment Action Programme.

19^th November 2008: Directive 2008/98/EC. Waste Framework Directive (WFD).

16^th January 2003: Decision 2003/33/EC. Council Decision of 19 December 2002 establishing criteria and procedures for the acceptance of waste at landfills pursuant to Article 16 of and Annex II to Directive 1999/31/EC.

26^th April 1999: Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC. Definition of waste and the importance of waste treatment for public health and environmental sustainability – Landfill Directive (LD).

20^th December 1994: Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste – Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD).

15^th July 1975: Council Directive 75/442/EEC on Waste – Waste Directive (WD).