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 September 2017

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General
Germany For the period 1995 to 2001 Eurostat estimates for municipal waste generated
and treated were introduced to remove two breaks in the series.

Denmark Before 2010 only treatment facilities were reporting waste data. Only national
codes on waste type (66 different) and treatment (six different) were reported.
From 2011, LoW codes and R/D codes are reported and both collectors and
treatment facilities are reporting. Since then, 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, those waste sorted
recyclable waste have been removed from municipal waste since 1995. This
revision reduced the amounts generated and treated between 300 and 500 kt
(between 7 and 11 %, increasing over time). The deduction in treatment mostly
affected recycling (up to 41 % in 2004) and to a much lower extends
composting (up to 7 % in 1998).

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 2001 to 2003 data originates from a HCSO survey. Since 2004 data
come from the Waste Information System of the Ministry.

Portugal The data sources have been changed along the years:
i) From 1995 up to 2001 the information is the result of a specific survey by
Statistics Portugal collecting data over the municipalities and the account of
their activities on municipal waste management;
ii) From 2002 up to 2006 the information is based on administrative data
collected by the former Waste Institute, which had a web based reporting
system (Waste Information System) that was already directed to the Municipal
Waste Management Systems (MWMS) and who reported the municipal waste
amounts managed from the municipalities.
iii) In 2007, the former Waste Institute and the former Environment Institute
were merged into the new Portuguese Environment Agency. The database
system basically remained the same with small changes in forms. Since then,
the data is collected basically with the same specifications and with no
modifications on the variables.

Croatia As a result of establishment of new reporting system in 2007 and hence better
data quality, from 2007 onwards the difference between waste generation and
waste treatment is lower.

Lithuania Due to temporary storage, the difference between generation and treatment
increased in 2011 to 9% of MW generated (usually between 1% - 4% between
2007 and 2014). The waste was temporary stored in order to use the waste in
the new waste-to energy plant which started its activity in 2013.

Latvia The 2011 gap between waste generation and treatment of 17% is due to data
inconsistencies in wastes reports.

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Poland From 2014 municipal waste is collected from all inhabitants and is considered
to be waste generated because from 1.07.2013 all real-estate owners with
municipal waste management system are covered.

Romania There is no information on the methodology for 2001 and 2002 and the
previous years, as it was another institution responsible (administrative
source). Starting with 2003, the methodology of data collection and processing
has been changed. For 2004 - 2009 data were collected and processed by
NEPA using the same methodology as for 2003. Starting with the reference
year 2010 the methodology provided by EUROSTAT is used

Slovenia In the data for 2015, Slovenia changed the methodology of calculation for
amount of waste that was recovered, due to the large difference between the
generated and treated amount of waste. In the data for 2015, these quantities
were partitioned between final recovery operations. The estimations were
made according to different types of waste and according to the share of final
treatment processes that were actually carried out in 2015.
From 2016, with new system for data collection, it is possible to follow the
whole way of waste, including those who are firstly pre-treated and then going
to the final treatment (all those quantities that were included in “other
recovery” in the past).

Municipal waste generation

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.

Czech Republic From 2001 till 2009, Czech Republic reported higher amounts for waste
generated than for total treatment, although the coverage by population is
100% for all these years. The difference varies from 7% (in 2007) to 16% (in
2003 and 2004). The reason for this difference was given as “storage balance
and export/import”.

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.

Estonia 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 In 2015 the quantity of waste generated in households increased. Increase is

not only due to inclusion of packaging wastes, but generation of mixed
municipal waste has increased also.
Furthermore, the separate collection of wastes in bigger towns also increased;
in addition to paper waste, packaging waste, biological waste and textile waste

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 were also separately collected. As the same containers might be used also by
small enterprises and small farms, some separately collected wastes from small
enterprises and small farms might be included to household’s wastes.

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.

Lithuania 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 until 2007 is waste undergoing preliminary operations like sorting.
These amounts range from 6 % (1995) to 17 % (2007) of waste generation.
From 2008, where the final destination of the pre-treatment output was 11 %
landfill, 78 % incineration, 8 % recycling and 3 % losses these output were
assigned to the respective treatment operation.
The slightly 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.

Austria In the period from 1996 to 2003 the reported amount of 'MW generated' is not
equal to the sum of the parameters 'waste generated by households' and 'waste
generated by other sources'. A correction of data prior to 2004 is unfortunately
not possible.

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 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

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 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. From 2014, wood waste related to
construction and demolition (2013: 255 kt) is no more included in municipal
waste generated.

Switzerland From 2004, the imported municipal waste for incineration is deducted from the
figure on municipal waste generated and incinerated.

Romania Starting with the reference year 2010, data is processed according to the
guidance document, taking into account also other types of waste, not only that
collected by sanitation companies. Output of recyclable fractions from sorting
stations is also added to municipal waste recycled.

Municipal waste treatment

Czech Republic In 2004 the national legislation introduced special codes for treatment
operations. Treatment data since 2004 calculated according to new
methodology.

Denmark The input to sorting plants is allocated to all four treatment operations.

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.

Spain Until 2012 the amount of biodegradable kitchen and canteen waste and garden
waste collected separately and treated by biological treatment, has been stated
under "recycled". Since 2013 it is reported under Composting.
Since 2013, Spain allocates the waste streams of mixed wastes treated in MBT
plants to the respective final treatments of each waste stream:
- glass, metal, plastic and paper are sorted to be sent to recycling
facilities. This quantity is reported under recycling figures.
- rejects of the MBT plants are subjected to incineration and landfill

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 operations. These quantities are reported under Incineration and
respective landfill figures.
- organic matter in mixed wastes are sorted in the mechanical process
and biologically treated. In addition, biodegradable kitchen and
canteen waste and biodegradable garden and park waste, both
collected separately, are biologically treated together with the organic
matter stated previously. These together are subject to biological
treatment and generate a bio-stabilized material which is assumed to
be used in agricultural soils, and in other soils for reclamation
purposes. These amounts have been allocated to “Biotreated”
(Composting figures).

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.

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). From 2011
onwards data on waste treatment in Slovenia include also data on temporary
storage and pre-treatment of waste.

Belgium The Walloon region changed its methodology from 2008 onwards. Therefore
there is a break in time series between 2007 and 2008 for all type of treatment.
The new methodology cannot be applied on the data before 2008.

Municipal waste landfilled

Bulgaria Drop in municipal waste landfilled in 2006 and 2007 due to closure of landfill
site in Sofia.

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)).

Estonia In 2013, the first municipal waste incineration facility started to operate in
Estonia. Accordingly, landfilling fell strongly.

Italy Includes waste from sorting operations which are sent to landfill.

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.

Austria Since 2004, landfilling is permitted only for pre-treated waste. Additional
thermal facilities went into operation. In addition, the figures since 2004

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 include amounts treated in mechanical-biological facilities (after deduction of
decomposition losses) which were formerly allocated to composting.

Slovenia Includes landfilling of residues from other treatment operations.

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).

Municipal waste incinerated

Germany The series on municipal waste incinerated without energy recovery includes
"treatment for disposal", mostly reflecting mechanical-biological 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: 1098, 2014: 1109. Prior to 2002 the amounts are
estimated to range between 10 and 20 kt.

Estonia In 2013, Energy recovery (R1) became the main MW treatment operation due
to start of the new incineration facility.

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.

Italy Starting from 2015, the energy efficiency criteria for the differentiation of R1
and D10 operations have been adopted, in accordance with the Directive
2008/98/EC. By adopting this criterion, only the quantities for total
incineration can be compared with those of the previous years.

Hungary 2004 smaller amount due to the reconstruction of the largest incinerator.

Austria Since 2004, landfilling is permitted only for pre-treated waste. Additional
thermal facilities went into operation.

United Kingdom The drop in 1996 is due to the closure of incinerators without energy recovery
(because of legislation banning them).

Lithuania High amounts of incineration in 2011 are explained with used tyres which
were generated by households and which were included in the data of 2011
(most of them subject to energy recovery - R1). For the other years used tyres
were not included.
Due to the start of a new waste-to-energy plant in 2013, the amounts treated by
'Total Incineration' increased again from 2012 to 2013.

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Municipal waste recycled
Bulgaria In the reporting round for reference year 2012, Bulgaria reported, for the first
time, remarkably high recycling rates of between up to 24% (2010). They
introduced these figures, compiled from an additional survey, retrospectively
from 1998 and did so also for waste generated (increasing the waste generation
up to 32% in 2010)

Germany The input to sorting plants is allocated to Recycling.

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.

Croatia From 2011, amount recycled includes also municipal waste which originates
from services (NACE activities G to U, except G46.77).

Italy Until 2006, 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 2007, provides for the accounting for all
other fractions sent for recycling.

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.
In 2012/2013/2014/2015 the figures include shares of 46%/40%/42%/37%
exported for recycling.

Luxembourg More than 95% of the municipal waste recycled is exported for treatment;
these amounts are included in the whole time series.

Hungary 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

Poland The increase in the amounts of waste composted 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

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 categories is not possible yet due to the construction of reporting form. It
should be possible starting from the reference year 2014.

Portugal 2006 & 2007: total amount of waste separately collected.

Romania 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.

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.

United Kingdom Data 1995 to 1999 include amounts of composted municipal waste.

Municipal waste composted

Spain The amounts composted mainly refer to the composting of mixed waste (share
2010: 92%) conducted in the biological stage of mechanical biological
treatment plants.

Spain The high amount of composting in 2008 and the decrease since 2009 is due to
methodological reasons. A retrospective correction is not possible.

Italy From 2000 composting does not include data from mechanical-biological-
treatment (MBT). From 2005, composting includes anaerobic treatments.

Cyprus A new waste management facility started operating in April 2010. In this
facility, the organic fraction of the wastes is separated and treated with aerobic
treatment and stabilization (composting). The facility produces compost from
green waste and mixed waste. This product belongs to the government and it
can be used either as soil improvement or for the covering of residuals which
are disposed to the landfill area. Cyprus reports the mechanical-biological
treatment of the organic fraction from mixed waste under the treatment
category ‘composting’.

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.

Poland Decrease in the amounts of waste recycled from 2010 to 2011 as a result of the
change on the reporting form (see Recycling).

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Portugal 2006/2008/2009: Figures for composting include biodegradable waste
selectively collected (2008: 14%; 2009: 13%).

Slovakia In 2005, the data collection system change caused also a loss of information 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.

Switzerland Due to an optimisation of the survey for composting and mechanisation

facilities, a higher number of facilities and therefore a higher amount of waste
for composting has been reported.

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