3. European regulatory framework

3.1 Two main directives

Directive 1999/31/EC defines three categories of landfill, each of which is classified in one of the following categories:

• hazardous waste landfills,

• landfills for non-hazardous waste,

• landfills for inert waste.

As a general rule, acceptance criteria based on waste properties must be very precise in the case of landfills for inert waste. They may be less so for landfills for non-hazardous waste, and even less so for landfills for hazardous waste. The highest level of environmental protection is required for the latter two categories.

Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste was amended...