endofwaste

End-of-waste (EoW) refers to a status where certain materials that would otherwise be classified as waste are no longer treated as waste because they have undergone an appropriate recovery or treatment and meet predefined criteria enabling their reuse as a resource. The concept is used to promote recycling and resource efficiency while maintaining environmental protection.

In the European Union, the EoW concept is anchored in the Waste Framework Directive and is further defined by end-of-waste criteria established for specific materials by the European Commission and individual member states. These criteria specify when a material has the quality and safety to be used directly as a product or as a feedstock, rather than being governed under waste legislation. National regulations can apply in addition to or instead of EU criteria.

Criteria typically addressed include the intended use and market for the material, compliance with relevant technical standards and environmental regulations, and evidence that the recovery process has achieved a stable, verifiable quality. The material must have defined characteristics and low risk of harm to human health or the environment, supported by documentation, testing, or certification. The process usually requires the operator to demonstrate traceability and conformity with established specifications.

Common examples of materials that may achieve EoW status include metals recovered from scrap that meet purity standards, glass cullet suitable for manufacturing, and certain treated aggregates or forest products that meet quality criteria. End-of-waste status is material- and jurisdiction-specific, and not all recycled streams qualify.