Municipal solid waste (MSW) arisings in the 27 member states of the European Union were much lower in 2022 than they had been in 2021. However, the proportion of this waste that was recycled fell for the first time in almost 30 years. At the same time, the landfilling rate increased while the incineration rate stayed the same, according to data recently published by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union.
The figures again showed massive differences in the member states' waste management practices. The majority are still a large distance away from reaching the EU target to reduce the amount of MSW consigned to landfills to 10 per cent or less by 2035.
According to Eurostat, the EU generated a total of 229.5 million tonnes of municipal solid waste in 2022, representing an average of 513 kilogrammes per capita. This figure was much lower than in 2021, when arisings reached 237.5 million tonnes and per capita volumes stood at 532 kilogrammes.
Read the full article on the development of municipal waste generation in the EU and the main management routes here......
