Case C‑238/21

Porr Bau GmbH

v

Bezirkshauptmannschaft Graz-Umgebung

(Request for a preliminary ruling
from the Landesverwaltungsgericht Steiermark)

Judgment of the Court (First Chamber) of 17 November 2022

(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Environment – Waste – Directive 2008/98/EC – Point 1 of Article 3 – Article 5(1) – Article 6(1) – Excavated materials – Concepts of ‘waste’ and of ‘by-product’ – Cessation of waste status)

1. Environment – Waste – Directive 2008/98 – Concept of waste – Substance which is discarded – Broad interpretation – Criteria for assessment

   (Art. 191(2) TFEU; European Parliament and Council Directive 2008/98, Article 3, point 1)

   (see paragraphs 32-41)

2. Environment – Waste – Directive 2008/98 – Concept of by-product

   (European Parliament and Council Directive 2008/98, Art. 5(1))

   (see paragraphs 42-44)

3. Environment – Waste – Directive 2008/98 – Concept of waste – Uncontaminated excavated materials in the highest national quality class

   (European Parliament and Council Directive 2008/98, Art. 5(1))

   (see paragraphs 49-58, 77, operative part)

4. Environment – Waste – Directive 2008/98 – Cessation of waste status – Conditions – Uncontaminated excavated materials in the highest national quality class

   (European Parliament and Council Directive 2008/98, Art. 6(1))

   (see paragraphs 65-77, operative part)

See the text of the decision.