Waste and material resources

Recycling rates for packaging waste in 2007 by country: Generation and recycling of packaging waste in the member countries of the European Environment Agency. The data show that 18 countries in 2007 met the 2008 target of the Packaging Waste Directive (2004/12/EC) to recycle at least 55% of packaging waste generated, and one country missed the 2001 target to recycle at least 25%.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Job creations from recycling: More jobs at higher income levels are created by recycling than compared to landfilling or incinerating waste. Overall employment related to the recycling of materials in European countries increased by 45 % between 2000 and 2007.
Located in News › Recycling industry can boost the European economy › key facts
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (waste 003) - Assessment DRAFT created Dec 2012: Data indicates that while reuse and recycling of the collected waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) seems to be on track in the majority of the EU and EFTA member countries, the collection of the WEEE has shown varying but generally improving results. It appears that the amounts of WEEE that are collected, are largely reused or recycled although there is still room for improvement in some countries. However, more attention should be given to the improvement of collection systems. The level of collection is still very low in many countries, especially when compared to the amount put on the market (Figure 1).
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Waste electrical and electronic equipment
Waste - Outlook 2020 (Latvia): SOER Common environmental theme from Latvia
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Country assessments › Latvia
EEA report 1/2006 - Using the market for cost-effective environmental policy: Located in Publications
Paper and cardboard - recovery or disposal?: Review of life cycle assessment and cost-benefit analysis on the recovery and disposal of paper and cardboard
Located in Publications
Diverting waste from landfill - Effectiveness of waste-management policies in the European Union: Issued in 1999, the Landfill Directive marked a decisive shift from landfill towards the EU's new waste hierarchy, which prioritises waste prevention, followed by re-use, recycling and recovery, and seeks to avoid landfilling wherever feasible. The Landfill Directive set targets for progressively reducing the amount of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled in the period to 2016. A decade on from the Landfill Directive's enactment seems a fitting time to review progress and extract key lessons for policy-makers in Europe and elsewhere. Through individual and comparative analyses of waste management in five countries and one sub-national region (Estonia, Finland, the Flemish Region of Belgium, Germany, Hungary and Italy), as well as an econometric analysis of the EU–25 Member States, this report seeks to answer a number of important questions, including: To what extent was waste management practice changed in the last decade? How much of the change was due to the Landfill Directive (and other EU instruments)? What measures and institutional arrangements did countries introduce? Which measures and arrangements proved most effective in different national and regional contexts?
Located in Publications
The European environment – state and outlook 2010: Synthesis: The SOER 2010 Synthesis provides an overview of the European environment's state, trends and prospects, integrating the main findings of SOER 2010.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Synthesis
Material resources and waste — SOER 2010 thematic assessment: The European economy needs huge amounts of resources to function. Apart from consuming minerals, metals, concrete and wood, Europe burns fossil fuels and uses land to satisfy the needs of its citizens. Demand for materials is so intense that between 20 and 30 % of the resources we use are now imported. At the other end of the materials chain, the EU economy generates around six tons of waste per person every year. With the boom in international trade, EU consumption and production may potentially damage ecosystems and human health not only within but also far beyond its borders.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Material resources and waste — key message 4: The management of waste has improved, with many countries recycling and recovering more, but more efforts are needed if the EU is to become a 'recycling society'. Implementation of existing legislation remains crucial, especially on the illegal shipments of waste, illegal or sub-standard landfilling, and packaging and electric and electronic equipment waste management.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › … › Material resources and waste — SOER 2010 thematic assessment › Key messages