The European Union needs a dedicated body to oversee implementation of its waste laws, according to a European Commission report, to tackle illegal dumping, sub-standard landfill sites and, in some states, a lack of basic infrastructure.
The Commission also warned that illegal waste shipments are a major concern and said that separate research shows that almost 20% of inspected waste shipments are illegal.
Europe generates around 2.6bnt of waste each year and enlargement has increased the problems.
"We must look at all the options, including setting up an EU agency or body which could enable EU legislation to deliver the maximum benefits for citizens, the environment and the EU economy," said environment commissioner Stavros Dimas.
The report recommends an agency which would review member states' enforcement systems, controls and inspection and which would carry out direct inspection and control of facilities where it detected non-compliance.
A European network of member states would support the agency in some of its activities.
The reports say that illegal dumping is wide-scale and landfills and other facilities fail to come up to standard in many parts.
In a Europe-wide inspection programme, 10,000 transport inspections and hundreds of company visit were carried out and 19% of waste shipments were found to be illegal. Most of this was illegal exports to Africa or Asia.
