European Waste Management Sector Shows Significant CO2 Reduction Potential for 10 Waste Streams

This study, building on a previous study conducted by Prognos in 2008, highlights the important contributions by the waste management sector to the EU climate objectives, accounting for avoided emissions for 10 selected waste streams for EU27+UK, based on available statistical data.

9 material waste streams were considered (Paper, Glass, Plastics, Ferrous metals, Aluminium, Wood, Textiles, Waste tyres, Biowaste) plus one stream representing residual waste and Waste Derived Fuel, which includes non-separately collected waste and rejects from waste treatment facilities. The 10 selected waste streams accounts in total 505 Mt, correspondent to approx. 19 % of the total waste generated in EU27+UK in 2018.

Potential CO₂ emission reductions are examined against the background of recent revisions of the EU waste legislation. The study explores the potential contribution this legislation and the waste management industry could have to reaching the ambition of climate neutrality by 2050 set out in the European Green Deal, as well as the effect of more ambitious targets.

At the Status Quo (Baseline-2018), the waste industry is (for the selected waste streams) already nearly carbon neutral today, with only 13 Mt CO2eq Net Emissions per year. These results take into account the CO₂ savings in the manufacturing and energy sectors, generated by the use of recyclates and Waste-to-Energy, instead of virgin materials and fossil fuels.

Waste and Resource Management