The waste management concept as an instrument for waste prevention

The obligatory operational waste management concept serves to optimize the management of waste in companies. Experts from the Federal Environment Agency have evaluated the extent to which this instrument is and can also be used for operational waste prevention. In addition, proposals were developed on how potentials for waste prevention can be identified and used. For this purpose, selected concepts were examined and interviews with waste managers, planners, consultants and representatives of authorities were conducted. On the basis of the evaluation, the introduction of a two-stage waste management concept, the adaptation of legal framework conditions, an update of the guidelines of the BMLFUW and the development of an Internet platform for the information of Austrian companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, are recommended.