Summarizing the different ways that EU member
states deal with HHW, it can be stated that countries like Germany,
Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands have collection rates
exceeding 30%. In the majority of cases, the solids are mixed with
household waste and non-hazardous industrial waste. The liquids
are often disposed of in the wastewater network. This dispersal of
toxic substances has consequences for all the treatment chains and
negative impact on the environment. It creates additional management
constraints in incineration units, pipe networks and
landfills. It involves additional operating costs and requires specific
investments. It has also negative impact on the agronomical sludge
outlets from purification stations and composted fermentable
waste, when it does not discharge directly into the natural environment