This report presents the findings of a follow-up study to the study to support the review of the Waste Thematic Strategy, which was completed in October 2010 and published on the DG Environment website in January 20111. Within that study, a limited amount of research was undertaken on the use of economic instruments (EIs) to promote improved waste management, and the current study expands on that limited research. The objective of the present study is to analyse the relationship between the performances of the waste management systems of the EU Member States (MS) and their use of EIs. On the basis of this analysis, the opportunity of moving towards a European common approach for the use of EIs in relation to waste management is explored. The study aims to provide supporting information and analysis for the European Commission in the preparation of the follow up of the report published in January 2011 on the Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste.