EUROPEAN COMMISSION
EUROSTAT
Directorate E: Sectoral and regional statistics
Unit E-2: Environmental Statistics and Accounts; Sustainable
Development
Country specific notes on municipal waste data
Last update December 2015
Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste generated
Bulgaria
Due to a change in methodology, revisions to the data on municipal waste
generated for the period since 2004 were made. The landfill site in Sofia was
closed between October 2005 and December 2007. This led to temporary
storage of collected municipal waste in these years amounting to shares of the
municipal waste generated between 2,5% (2005) and 10% (2006, 2007). These
amounts are not included in the figures for municipal waste generated and also
caused a drop in municipal waste landfilled in 2006 and 2007.
Denmark
Since 2010 sorted recyclable waste from businesses are no longer under the
responsibility of the municipalities to collect. In order to keep the coherence of
the time series, this sorted recyclable waste has been removed from municipal
waste since 1995. 2011: Implementation of a new waste data system based on
the European List of Waste.
Germany
For the period 1995 to 2001 Eurostat estimates for municipal waste generated
were introduced to remove two breaks in the series.
For the years 1995 to 1999 the figures show the amount of municipal waste
collected. From 1995 to 1999 municipal waste collection covered about 70%
of the population. In 2001, a new waste classification was introduced (for
example sludges of municipal waste water treatment plants were included in
municipal waste up to 2000 and excluded afterwards).
Estonia
Spain
Since 2004, the figure for municipal waste generated was computed after
subtracting the amounts corresponding to (municipal) construction and
demolition wastes and sludges (7% in 2004). Until 2003, these data were not
subtracted from the overall figure as no information about this single variable
was available.
Latvia
The break in the time series from 2002 onwards is due to the use of a new data
source.
Lithuania
From 1999, the decrease in the amount of waste can be explained by
modernisation of treatment sites; waste is now weighed, while previously its
weight was estimated based on its volume. All figures until 2010 give the
amount of municipal waste collected. As part of the population is not covered
by a municipal waste collection scheme (between 80% in 2007 and 94% in
2010, unknown until 2006), the total amount of waste generated is
underestimated. From 2011, the amount of municipal waste generated and not
covered by the MW collection system is estimated.
Hungary
From 2000, improved data quality due to weighing of the waste amounts at the
treatment sites.
Malta
From 1999, improved data quality due to weighing of the waste amounts at the
treatment sites.
Netherlands
The 100% coverage applies to household waste only. In the Netherlands only a
small part of the office and services waste is collected by municipalities. Most
of the office and services waste is collected by commercial collectors and is
not included in the data. The difference between waste generation and
treatment is waste undergoing preliminary operations like sorting. These
amounts range from 6 % (1995) to 17 % (2010) of waste generation. In 2008,
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Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste generated
the final destination of the pre-treatment output was 11 % landfill, 78 %
incineration, 8 % recycling and 3 % losses.
The lower value in 2003 is due to a hot and dry summer resulting in a smaller
amount of organic waste.
Austria
From 1996 to 2003, on-site composting of green waste from municipal service
is fully (1999 to 2003) or partly (1996 to 1998) included. On-site composting
of green waste amounted to 325 kt from 1996 to 2003.
Poland
For the period 1995 to 2004, the figures show the amount of municipal waste
collected. As part of the population is not covered by a municipal waste
collection scheme (in 2000 about 6% of the city inhabitants and 26% of the
country inhabitants), the total amount of waste generated is underestimated.
Portugal
In 2002, the data collection method was changed. The statistical survey was
replaced with administrative data sources. For the period 1995 to 2001, the
figures show the amount of municipal waste collected. Between 95% (1995)
and 99% (2001) of the population was covered by a municipal waste collection
scheme; thus, the amounts are slightly underestimated.
Slovenia
From 2002, change in data collection methods and harmonisation with EU
methodology. From 2004, new methodology: municipal waste generated refers
not only to waste collected by public service system as until 2003, but also to
waste collected by waste scheme (covering special wastes such as packaging,
WEEE, medicines and waste candles from cemetery).
Since 2013, the data on waste collection include waste from special waste
collectors that were not included in the previous years.
Slovakia
Data until 2001 according to national waste catalogue, from 2002 onwards
according to the European List of Waste.
United Kingdom
The lower value in 2003 is due to a hot and dry summer resulting in a smaller
amount of organic waste.
Turkey
From 2004, improved data quality due to weighing of the waste amounts at the
treatment sites.
Norway
The significant decrease in 2001 is due to a review of the definition of
municipal waste. Prior to 2001, the figures included all waste collected and
handled by municipalities and were not limited to waste similar to household
waste, but included also production waste.
Switzerland
From 2004, the imported municipal waste for incineration is deducted from the
figure on municipal waste generated and incinerated.
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Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste landfilled
Bulgaria
The landfill site in Sofia was closed between October 2005 and December 2007. This
lead to temporary storage of collected municipal waste in these years amounting to
shares from the municipal waste generated between 2.5% (2005) and 10% (2006,
2007). These amounts are not included in the figures for municipal waste generated and
also caused a drop in municipal waste landfilled in 2006 and 2007.
Czech Republic Treatment data since 2004 calculated according to new methodology.
Denmark
Ban on landfilling of waste suitable for incineration since 1 January 1997 (Source:
Danish Environment Protection Agency, 2005: Waste Statistics 2003. Environmental
Review No.4 2005).
Germany
Ban on landfilling of organic waste since 1 June 2004 (Source:
Abfallablagerungsverordnung from 20. Feb 2001 (BGBl. I S. 305)). For the period
1995 to 2001 Eurostat estimates for municipal waste treated were introduced to remove
two breaks in the series.
Estonia
In 2001, a new waste classification was introduced (for example sludges of municipal
waste water treatment plants were included in municipal waste up to 2000 and
excluded afterwards).
Spain
Data on waste treatment is aimed at measuring waste as it enters final treatment
facilities, so that pre-treated amounts are excluded from the estimates. Since 2009, data
are estimated using administrative sources as provided by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Nourishment and Environment (MANE). Both composting and recycling figures do not
account for discarded waste from their respective operations. Discarded waste amounts
have been respectively added to landfilling and incineration figures.
Italy
Includes waste from sorting operations which are sent to landfill.
Cyprus
In 2011, the quantities of waste recycled have been examined and corrected, especially
for metals. The definition of what qualifies as municipal waste was assessed and new
data sources of a better quality were used. Consequently, the quantities of municipal
waste recycled are now much smaller than what was previously reported for the entire
time series.
Latvia
The break in the time series from 2002 onwards is due to the use of a new data source.
Lithuania
From 1999, the decrease in the amount of waste can be explained by modernisation of
treatment sites; waste is now weighed, while previously its weight was estimated based
on its volume.
Hungary
From 2000, improved data quality due to weighing of the waste amounts in the
treatment sites.
Malta
Increased amounts of municipal waste landfilled from 2007 to 2009 due to
refurbishment of recycling (2007) and composting facilities (2007 to 2009) of the solid
waste treatment plant. From 2010, landfilled amounts include secondary waste from
sorting and mechanical treatment processes (2010: 8.48 kt; 2011: 35.56 kt).
Netherlands
Lower amounts of municipal waste landfilled since 2003 due to new legislation which
bans direct disposal of mixed municipal waste to landfill.
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Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste landfilled
Austria
Until 2003, figures for recovery and disposal include secondary waste (particularly
landfill), thus the sum is above 100%. From 2004, the figures for recovery and disposal
do not contain double counts anymore. Since 2004, landfilling is permitted only for
pre-treated waste. Additional thermal facilities went into operation. In addition, the
figures since 2004 include amounts treated in mechanical-biological facilities (after
deduction of decomposition losses) which were formerly allocated to composting.
Portugal
In 2002, the data collection method was changed. The statistical survey was replaced
with administrative data sources.
Slovenia
Includes landfilling of residues from other treatment operations. For most reference
years, the total treatment is significantly lower than the waste generation because of the
temporary storage of municipal waste, the loss of weight during pre-treatment as well
as the incomplete coverage of outputs from pre-treatment (sorting or mechanicalbiological-treatment).
Sweden
Landfilling of sorted combustible waste is prohibited since 1 January 2002 and
landfilling of organic waste since 2005 (Source: The Swedish Association of Waste
Management (RVF), 2003: Swedish Waste Management 2003).
Turkey
From 2004, improved data quality due to weighing of the waste amounts at the
treatment sites.
Norway
The significant decrease in 2001 is due to a review of the definition of municipal waste.
Prior to 2001, the figures included all waste collected and handled by municipalities;
they were not limited to waste similar to household waste, but included also production
waste.
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Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste incinerated
Czech
Republic
Treatment data since 2004 calculated according to new methodology.
Germany
For the period 1995 to 2001 Eurostat estimates for municipal waste treated were
introduced to remove two breaks in the series. The series on municipal waste incinerated
without energy recovery includes "treatment for disposal", mostly reflecting mechanicalbiological treatment, with the following amounts in [kt]: 2002: 89; 2003: 111; 2004: 625;
2005: 987; 2006: 2287; 2007: 1839; 2008: 1951; 2009: 1941; 2010: 1995; 2011: 1858;
2012: 988; 2013: 1161. Prior to 2002 the amounts are estimated to range between 10 and
20 kt.
Spain
Data on waste treatment is aimed at measuring waste as it enters final treatment facilities,
so that pre-treated amounts are excluded from the estimates. Since 2009, data are
estimated using administrative sources as provided by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Nourishment and Environment (MANE). Both composting and recycling figures do not
account for discarded waste from their respective operations. Discarded waste amounts
have been respectively added to landfilling and incineration figures.
Ireland
From 2008, the value on incineration refers to energy recovery (R1) rather than
commercial municipal waste incineration (which does not exist in Ireland). The R1
activity consists of co-incineration as refuse derived fuel (RDF), but also use of wood as
a fuel and use of edible oils and fats in biodiesel processing. It took place in Ireland
(66%) and abroad (33%).
France
From 2010, recycling figures refer to output from sorting. Until 2009, input to sorting
was reported (incl. sorting residues).
Italy
Data since 2002 cover both urban waste and waste-derived fuels and are not comparable
with previous years due to a new method of calculation.
Hungary
2004 smaller amount due to the reconstruction of the largest incinerator.
Austria
Until 2003, figures for recovery and disposal include secondary waste, thus the sum is
above 100%. From 2004, the figures for recovery and disposal do not contain double
counts anymore. Since 2004, landfilling is permitted only for pre-treated waste.
Additional thermal facilities went into operation.
Portugal
In 2002, the data collection method was changed. The statistical survey was replaced
with administrative data sources.
Slovenia
For most reference years, the total treatment is significantly lower than the waste
generation because of the temporary storage of municipal waste, the loss of weight during
pre-treatment as well as the incomplete coverage of outputs from pre-treatment (sorting or
mechanical-biological-treatment).
United
Kingdom
The drop in 1996 is due to the closure of incinerators without energy recovery (because
of legislation banning them).
Switzerland
From 2004, the imported municipal waste for incineration is deducted from the figure on
municipal waste generated and incinerated.
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Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste recycled
Czech
Republic
Treatment data since 2004 calculated according to new methodology.
Germany
For the period 1995 to 2001 Eurostat estimates for municipal waste treated were
introduced to remove two breaks in the series.
Estonia
Due to specialties of Estonian national waste data collection and processing system, the
municipal waste recycling data can include partially data on municipal waste sorting
before final recycling, but exclude some recycled fractions taken into consideration on
waste material basis.
Spain
Data on waste treatment is aimed at measuring waste as it enters final treatment facilities,
so that pre-treated amounts are excluded from the estimates. Since 2009, data are
estimated using administrative sources as provided by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Nourishment and Environment (MANE). Both composting and recycling figures do not
account for discarded waste from their respective operations. Discarded waste amounts
have been respectively added to landfilling and incineration figures.
Croatia
From 2011, amount recycled includes also municipal waste which originates from
services (NACE activities G to U, except G46.77).
Italy
Until 2007, data on recycling took into account only the fractions collected on public
areas, therefore this figure was underestimated. This methodology has been later refined
and, starting from 2008, provides for the accounting for all other fractions sent for
recycling.
Luxembourg
More than 95% of the municipal waste recycled is exported for treatment; these amounts
are included in the whole time series.
Cyprus
In 2011, the quantities of waste recycled have been examined and corrected, especially
for metals. The definition of what qualifies as municipal waste was assessed and new
data sources of a better quality were used. Consequently, the quantities of municipal
waste recycled are now much smaller than what was previously reported for the entire
time series.
Lithuania
In 2007/2008/2009/2010/2011 the figures include shares of 63% /60%/57%/69% /56%
exported for recycling.
Hungary
From 2001 to 2003 data originates from a HCSO survey. Since 2004 data come from the
Waste Information System of the Ministry. In 2007/2008/2009/2010/2011 the figures
include shares of 30%/25%/34%/50%/53% exported for recycling.
Malta
The drop of the amounts in 2007 is due to the refurbishment of the recycling facility
which started in 2007 and was concluded in February 2008. From 2010 onwards all the
outputs from sorting are allocated to their final treatment destination. All MW which is
allocated to recycling refers to the outputs of sorting which are exported for recycling
overseas. For previous years MW recycled figures refer to the input of waste into the
sorting process. All MW recycled was sorted and/or pre-treated in Malta and then
exported (or is in the process of being exported) for actual recycling in other countries
Austria
Until 2003, figures for recovery and disposal include secondary waste, thus the sum is
above 100%. From 2004, the figures for recovery and disposal do not contain double
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Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste recycled
counts anymore.
Poland
The increase in the amounts of waste composted and the subsequent fall in the amounts
of waste recycled from 2010 to 2011 is a result of the change on the reporting form,
introducing mechanical-biological-treatment (MBT) operations and the approach of
allocating of the output streams of MBT facilities to “MW composted or fermented”.
Splitting the amounts of municipal waste allocated to the MBT operations between the
four categories is not possible yet due to the construction of reporting form. It should be
possible starting from the reference year 2014.
Portugal
In 2002, the data collection method was changed. The statistical survey was replaced
with administrative data sources. 2006 & 2007: total amount of waste separately
collected.
Romania
In 2001 and 2002 data originates from an administrative source. Starting with 2003, the
methodology of data collection and processing has been changed. For 2003 to 2006, the
figures include all recovery operations; for 2007, it includes only R2-R11 (excluding
composting), according to the classification of the Waste Framework Directive.
Slovenia
From 2002, figures on municipal waste recycled exclude imports and include exports.
For most reference years, the total treatment is significantly lower than the waste
generation because of the temporary storage of municipal waste, the loss of weight
during pre-treatment as well as the incomplete coverage of outputs from pre-treatment
(sorting or mechanical-biological-treatment).
Slovakia
In 2005, the data collection system was changed with new R and D codes (according to
the Waste Framework Directive), causing a loss of information on final recovery of
municipal waste, mainly in recycling and less significantly in composting.
United
Kingdom
Data 1995 to 1999 include amounts of composted municipal waste.
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Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste composted
Czech
Republic
Treatment data since 2004 calculated according to new methodology.
Germany
For the period 1995 to 2001 Eurostat estimates for municipal waste treated were introduced
to remove two breaks in the series.
Spain
Data on waste treatment is aimed at measuring waste as it enters final treatment facilities,
so that pre-treated amounts are excluded from the estimates. Since 2009, data are estimated
using administrative sources as provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nourishment and
Environment (MANE). Both composting and recycling figures do not account for
discarded waste from their respective operations. Discarded waste amounts have been
respectively added to landfilling and incineration figures. . The amounts composted mainly
refer to the composting of mixed waste (share 2010: 92%).
Italy
From 2000 composting does not include data from mechanical-biological-treatment
(MBT). From 2005, composting includes anaerobic treatments.
Hungary
From 2001 to 2003 data originates from a HCSO survey; since 2004 data come from the
Waste Information System of the Ministry.
Cyprus
A new waste management facility started operating in April 2010. In this new facility, the
organic fraction of the wastes is separated and treated with aerobic treatment and
stabilization (composting). The facility can produce high quality compost from green waste
and compost from mixed waste which is considered to be soil improvement. This product
belongs to the government and it can be used either as soil improvement or for the daily
overlay of the residuals of the treatment process which are disposed to the landfill area.
Malta
The missing amounts of waste composted since 2008 and the sharp decrease in 2007 are
due to the refurbishment of the composting facility which started in the course of 2007 and
continued throughout 2008 and 2009.
Austria
Includes amounts treated in mechanical-biological facilities until 2003. From 2004, these
amounts were allocated to landfill (after deduction of decomposition losses). From 1996 to
2003, on-site composting of green waste from municipal service is fully (2000 to 2003) or
partly (1996 to 1999) included. On-site composting of green waste amounted to 325 kt
from 1996 to 2003. Until 2003, figures for recovery and disposal include secondary waste,
thus the sum is above 100%. From 2004, the figures for recovery and disposal do not
contain double counts anymore.
Poland
The increase in the amounts of waste composted and the subsequent fall in the amounts
of waste recycled from 2010 to 2011 is a result of the change on the reporting form,
introducing mechanical-biological-treatment (MBT) operations and the approach of
allocating of the output streams of MBT facilities to “MW composted or fermented”.
Splitting the amounts of municipal waste allocated to the MBT operations between the
four categories is not possible yet due to the construction of reporting form. It should be
possible starting from the reference year 2014.
Portugal
In 2002, the data collection method was changed. The statistical survey was replaced with
administrative data sources. 2006/2008/2009: Figures for composting include
biodegradable waste selectively collected (2008: 14%; 2009: 13%).
Slovenia
For most reference years, the total treatment is significantly lower than the waste
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Country specific notes on municipal waste
Municipal waste composted
generation because of the temporary storage of municipal waste, the loss of weight during
pre-treatment as well as the incomplete coverage of outputs from pre-treatment (sorting or
mechanical-biological-treatment).
Slovakia
In 2005, the data collection system was changed with new R and D codes (according to the
Waste Framework Directive), causing a loss of information on final recovery of municipal
waste, mainly in recycling and less significantly in composting.
Finland
Municipal waste composted includes estimated amount of about 54000 tonnes waste
composted by households (home composting 2010), and is counted in our statistics
therefore as generated municipal waste. This is valid to our whole time series from 2000.
United
Kingdom
From 1995 to 1999, amounts of municipal waste composted are included in those for
recycling.
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