Waste generation in Europe

Total per capita waste generation remained near stable in the European Union between 2010 and 2022. Waste generation historically follows trends in economic growth, e.g. during the 2020 economic slowdown and recovery thereafter. The EU aims to signficantly decrease its total waste generation by 2030. Although the observed stability and decoupling of waste generation from economic growth is encouraging, the latest data indicates that the link between economic growth and waste generation remains. Therefore, it is unlikely that waste generation will substantially decrease by 2030.

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Metadata
DPSIR Pressure
Typology Descriptive indicator (Type A - What is happening to the environment and to humans?)
UN SDGs SDG12: Responsible consumption and production
Topics Waste and recycling, Resource use and materials, Circular economy
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Workflow
Content responsible Head of Group Daniel Montalvo
Layout
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This average masks large country differences both in total waste volumes per capita and in waste generation trends.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "On average, " }, { "children": [ { "text": "5 tonnes" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " of total waste was generated per EU citizen in 2022, almost identical to the per capita generation in 2010. This average masks large country differences both in total waste volumes per capita and in waste generation trends. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "82231814-94bd-41af-8f94-144486dad71b": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": " Trends over time also show a mixed picture between countries. The total waste generated per capita increased in 18 Member States (22 of the 32 countries with available data). The largest relative decrease within the EU was observed in Greece and the largest relative increase in Bulgaria. The highest increase overall was reported in Serbia.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Trends" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " over time also show a mixed picture between countries. The total waste generated per capita increased in 18 Member States (22 of the 32 countries with available data). The largest relative decrease within the EU was observed in Greece and the largest relative increase in Bulgaria. The highest increase overall was reported in Serbia. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "96075583-5118-4871-bde9-9a3f61cdb4c5": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": " ", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "b" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "9c528ae2-7e78-4adf-a2d8-dae39f10ad2e": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Amounts generated for EU Member States in 2022 range from less than 1.35 tonnes per capita in Latvia to 20 tonnes per capita in Finland. Other European countries range from 1 tonne in North Macedonia to 26 tonnes in Serbia. Extreme numbers and differences can be affected by specific country situations and partly reflect variant structures of countries\u2019 economies. In 2022, 12 EU Member States (14 of 32 countries with available data) were above the EU average for 2022.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Amounts generated for EU Member States in 2022 range from less than 1.35 tonnes per capita in Latvia to 20 tonnes per capita in Finland. Other European countries range from 1 tonne in North Macedonia to 26 tonnes in Serbia. Extreme numbers and differences can be affected by specific country situations and partly reflect variant structures of countries\u2019 economies. In 2022, 12 EU Member States (14 of 32 countries with available data) were " }, { "children": [ { "text": "above the EU average" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " for 2022. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "a43da91a-91da-4bef-b076-c9abfa52bf01": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "d3d49723-14e5-4663-b346-37ee3572f28d": { "@type": "slate", "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "911faae3-9956-4d48-bc21-e6da24a4510b": { "@type": "group", "className": "figure-metadata", "id": "figure-metadata-02ba4a04-fcfe-4968-806f-1dac3119cfef", "data": { "blocks": { "244f7c94-7398-413a-bde9-7b96e8964e60": { "@type": "slate", "value": [ { "type": "h3-light", "children": [ { "text": "Figure 2. Generation of waste per capita and by European country (2010 and 2022)" } ] } ], "plaintext": "Figure 2. Generation of waste per capita and by European country (2010 and 2022)" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "244f7c94-7398-413a-bde9-7b96e8964e60" ] } }, "styles": {} }, "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881e": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "section": false, "short": true, "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "hidden": true, "readOnly": true, "required": true, "spacing": "m", "fitted": false } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "911faae3-9956-4d48-bc21-e6da24a4510b", "02ba4a04-fcfe-4968-806f-1dac3119cfef", "43df8fab-b278-4b0e-a62c-ce6b8e0a881e", "a43da91a-91da-4bef-b076-c9abfa52bf01", "3b023f5e-16f0-40b3-87b0-83fef90f5d9e", "9c528ae2-7e78-4adf-a2d8-dae39f10ad2e", "82231814-94bd-41af-8f94-144486dad71b", "96075583-5118-4871-bde9-9a3f61cdb4c5" ] } }, "disableInnerButtons": true, "disableNewBlocks": false, "fixed": true, "ignoreSpaces": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<ol keys=\"9bbul,b1sa2,171og,1c1t5\" depth=\"0\"><li>Depending on the indicator context, this 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They usually represent less of an environmental concern because of their inert nature. If excluded from the totals, the remaining and more environmentally significant waste streams increased by 3.3% between 2010 and 2022, a rise of 57 kg/capita.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Major " }, { "children": [ { "text": "mineral wastes" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " (hard rocks, concrete, soil and others) mainly produced in mining and construction sectors, feature in large quantities in relation to other waste types. They usually represent less of an environmental concern because of their inert nature. If excluded from the totals, the remaining and more environmentally significant waste streams increased by 3.3% between 2010 and 2022, a rise of 57 kg/capita. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "4cc48be2-29c5-475c-81d9-00f3ac16d013": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "For a long time, the EU has set a policy objective to reduce waste though prevention, which is the first step of the waste hierarchy laid down in the Waste Framework Directive . The circular economy and zero pollution ambition of the EU is to significantly reduce total waste by 2030 .", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "For a long time, the EU has set a policy objective to reduce waste though prevention, which is the first step of the waste hierarchy laid down in the " }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "url": "#_ftn1" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Waste Framework Directive" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EU, 2018, Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 109-140.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EU, Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste", "uid": "I-Qa-", "zoteroId": "UHIHGTKG" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ". The circular economy and zero pollution " }, { "children": [ { "text": "ambition" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " of the EU is to significantly reduce total waste by 2030" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EC, 2021, 'Zero pollution action plan', (https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/zero-pollution-action-plan_en) accessed November 10, 2022.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EC, 2021, Zero pollution action plan", "uid": "lW8jA", "zoteroId": "RBEA44YN" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ". " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "658785db-1510-43e2-8ad6-906ee87a272a": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Total waste generation remained stable, yet underlying waste streams show variations, modifying the composition. Sorting residues almost doubled from 2010 to 2022 (indicating increases in collection of recyclables), while excavated soils and mineral waste from construction and demolition increased by more than 100kg/capita. The stability of the total waste is mainly due to a high decrease in generation of other mineral waste by around 400kg/capita in the reporting time period, due to a slowdown of mining activities in Europe.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Total waste generation remained stable, yet underlying waste streams show variations, modifying the composition. Sorting residues" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "extra": [], "footnote": "Waste generated by the sorting of separately collected recyclables", "label": "Waste generated by the sorting of separately collected recyclables", "uid": "m1p1L", "value": "Waste generated by the sorting of separately collected recyclables" }, "type": "footnote" }, { "text": " almost doubled from 2010 to 2022 (indicating increases in collection of recyclables), while excavated soils and mineral waste from construction and demolition increased by more than 100kg/capita. The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "stability" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " of the total waste is mainly due to a high decrease in generation of other mineral waste by around 400kg/capita in the reporting time period, due to a " }, { "children": [ { "text": "slowdown" } ], "data": { "url": "https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/nama_10_a64__custom_13204221/default/table?lang=en" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " of mining activities in Europe. 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During 2010-2022, the EU\u2019s per capita GDP increased in real (deflated) terms by almost 19%. While waste generation remained stable in the same period, it followed overall trends in GDP development (the drop in 2020), indicating a relative decoupling of waste generation from economic growth.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "The main driver for trends in total waste volumes is considered to be " }, { "children": [ { "text": "economic growth" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": ", with gross domestic product (GDP) the most common parameter used to track the economy\u2019s size. During 2010-2022, the EU\u2019s per capita GDP increased in real (deflated) terms by almost 19%. While waste generation remained stable in the same period, it followed overall trends in GDP development (the drop in 2020), indicating a relative decoupling of waste generation from economic growth." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "de8bd12b-7575-44d5-a51a-e50c5a6168ae": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Latest data indicates that a link remains between waste generation and economic growth, albeit weaker. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the per capita total waste generation will significantly decrease by 2030. The only significant decrease observed (around 8%) in waste generation is very recent (2018-2020) and coincided with negative GDP growth rates. Waste generation has historically followed GDP growth closely and GDP growth rates have been positive since 2020. The European Central Bank projects this to remain as such in the coming years. Additional effort on implementing waste prevention is needed to significantly waste generation by 2030.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Latest data indicates that a " }, { "children": [ { "text": "link" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " remains between waste generation and economic growth, albeit weaker. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the per capita total waste generation will significantly decrease by 2030. The only significant decrease observed (around 8%) in waste generation is very recent (2018-2020) and coincided with negative GDP growth rates. Waste generation has historically followed GDP growth closely and GDP growth rates have been positive since 2020. The " }, { "children": [ { "text": "European Central Bank projects" } ], "data": { "url": "https://data.ecb.europa.eu/data/datasets/MPD?dataset%5B0%5D=Macroeconomic%20Projection%20Database%20%28MPD%29&filterSequence=dataset&advFilterDataset%5B0%5D=Macroeconomic%20Projection%20Database%20%28MPD%29&resetAllFilters=true&sort=t_ecb_last_update" }, "type": "link" }, { "text": " this to remain as such in the coming years. Additional effort on implementing waste prevention is needed to significantly waste generation by 2030." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "deb7e84d-d2c8-4491-90fa-3dc65fe02143": { "@type": "slate", "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "e298a924-3974-4141-b852-c61e4cdb4047": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "Total waste generation per capita decreased very slightly by 0.5% (decrease of 26 kg/capita) in the EU-27 between 2010 and 2022 and reach 5 tonnes per capita in 2022. A sharp decrease occurred in 2018-2020, following an increase in 2016-2018, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown. Waste generation has bounced back since, with an increase of 4% (174 kg/capita) between 2020 and 2022.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Total " }, { "children": [ { "text": "waste generation" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": " per capita decreased very slightly by 0.5% (decrease of 26 kg/capita) in the EU-27 between 2010 and 2022 and reach 5 tonnes per capita in 2022. A sharp decrease occurred in 2018-2020, following an increase in 2016-2018, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic slowdown. Waste generation has bounced back since, with an increase of 4% (174 kg/capita) between 2020 and 2022. " } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "354838b5-5a6a-470e-8dc4-24c5a0ec6489": { "@type": "group", "className": "figure-metadata", "id": "figure-metadata-b0279dde-1ceb-4137-a7f1-5ab7b46a782c", "data": { "blocks": { "e8537a2d-9e7d-4847-9400-474ed0893460": { "@type": "slate", "value": [ { "type": "h3-light", "children": [ { "text": "Figure 1. Waste generation per capita in the EU-27" } ] } ], "plaintext": "Figure 1. 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More information on the policy objective and related references will be included in the supporting information section. Where there is no policy objective associated with the indicator, i.e. where the indicator addresses an issue that is important for future policy formulation, this text should explain instead why this issue is important.</li><li>IF NECESSARY - Explains any mismatch between what the indicator tracks and what the policy objective/issue is.</li><li>Qualifies the historical trend (e.g. steady increase) and explains the key reasons (e.g. policies) behind it. 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A full reference list appears in the supporting information section.</strong></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "maxChars": "2000", "placeholder": "Aggregate level assessment e.g. progress at global, EU level..", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "title": "Aggregate level assessment" }, "db7e9f19-1f91-4a47-8c95-aa364a5c9e90": { "@layout": "794c9b24-5cd4-4b9f-a0cd-b796aadc86e8", "@type": "group", "allowedBlocks": [], "as": "section", "block": "db7e9f19-1f91-4a47-8c95-aa364a5c9e90", "data": { "blocks": { "12d8c532-f7ad-43fe-ada7-330b2d7a7a39": { "@type": "slate", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p><br/></p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "plaintext": "Published: date \u2012 25min read", "readOnly": true, "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Published: " }, { "children": [ { "text": "date" } ], "data": { "id": "effective", "widget": "datetime" }, "type": "mention" }, { "text": " \u2012 25min read" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "1c31c956-5086-476a-8694-9936cfa6c240": { "@type": "description", "disableNewBlocks": true, "fixed": true, "instructions": { "content-type": "text/html", "data": "<p>The summary tells the reader about the indicator trend over the examined period and whether or not it helps to achieve the associated policy objective, which can be either quantitative or directional.</p><p>In the absence of a policy objective, it explains whether the trend is in the right or wrong direction in relation to the issue examined.</p><p>If there has been an important change over the most recent period of the time series, e.g. over the last year, this is indicated too.</p><p>Furthermore, if there is a quantitative target, it also indicates whether we are on track to meet it and if not what are the reasons preventing that, e.g. socio-economic drivers, implementation gap etc.</p>", "encoding": "utf8" }, "placeholder": "Summary", "plaintext": "Total per capita waste generation remained near stable in the European Union between 2010 and 2022. Waste generation historically follows trends in economic growth, e.g. during the 2020 economic slowdown and recovery thereafter. The EU aims to signficantly decrease its total waste generation by 2030. Although the observed stability and decoupling of waste generation from economic growth is encouraging, the latest data indicates that the link between economic growth and waste generation remains. Therefore, it is unlikely that waste generation will substantially decrease by 2030.", "readOnlySettings": true, "required": true, "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "Total per capita waste generation remained near stable in the European Union between 2010 and 2022. Waste generation historically follows trends in economic growth, e.g. during the 2020 economic slowdown and recovery thereafter. The EU aims to signficantly decrease its total waste generation by 2030. Although the observed stability and decoupling of waste generation from economic growth is encouraging, the latest data indicates that the link between economic growth and waste generation remains. 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Supporting information
Methodology [ { "children": [ { "text": "Figure 1: Raw data for waste generation (total and excluding major mineral wastes) and GDP were retrieved from Eurostat. Eurostat aggregates for the EU-27 were used. Data on waste generation contain all NACE activities and households. Frequency of data publishing varies from every 2 years (for waste generation) to every year (for GDP). The aggregated figures are indexed to 2010, which means that the figure for each year is divided by the figure for 2010 and then multiplied by 100. Information on data sets uncertainties can be found directly in the metadata and explanatory notes provided by Eurostat. Only official datasets by Eurostat have been used." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Figure 2: Data for waste generation were retrieved from Eurostat. Data are displayed for country level, contain all NACE activities and households, and are expressed in kg per capita. To provide the broadest possible picture of European countries, geographical coverage was extended to the EEA-32 member countries and West Balkan cooperating countries. Frequency of data publishing is every 2 years. Gap filling was applied for three countries where 2018 data were used to fill the 2020 data gap. Information on data sets uncertainties can be found directly in the metadata and explanatory notes provided by Eurostat. Only official datasets by Eurostat have been used." } ], "type": "p" } ]
Data sources and providers { "readOnly": true, "data": [ { "@id": "929dc0f8-f23d-4417-8dc1-dc1839a6df62", "link": "https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_wasgen__custom_13085683/default/table?lang=en", "organisation": "Statistical office of the European Union (EUROSTAT)", "title": "Generation of waste by waste category, hazardousness and NACE Rev. 2 activity" } ] }
Definition [ { "children": [ { "text": "This indicator consists of two figures about waste generation. Figure 1 shows indexed values of waste generation, waste generation excluding major mineral waste and GDP with 2010 taken as a reference year (2010=100%). GDP was chosen as a basic indicator of economic growth. Figure 2 shows total waste generation per capita by European country. Data presented in the form of a bar chart are displayed as a comparison of the reference year (2010) and the last available year." } ], "type": "p" } ]
Unit of measure [ { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 Figure 1: Index (2010=100)" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "\u00b7 Figure 2: t/capita" } ], "type": "p" } ]
Policy / environmental relevance [ { "children": [ { "text": "One of the symbols of the linear economy system, which predominated in recent decades, is the high consumption of resources followed by high waste generation ('take-make-dispose'). This economic model is based on increasing profits generated by the consumption of primary resources and increasing demand for short-cycle products. In 2015, 2018 and 2020, the European Commission adopted Circular Economy packages to make the transition to a circular economic model where resources are used in a more sustainable way. The waste hierarchy serves to set priorities for EU and national waste policies and gives the highest priority to waste prevention, followed by preparing for reuse, recycling, and other methods of recovery and disposal. These priorities are highlighted by recent waste and resource efficiency policies and strategies at EU and national levels." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "This indicator is a headline indicator for monitoring progress towards the 8" }, { "children": [ { "text": "th" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " Environment Action Programme (8" }, { "children": [ { "text": "th" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " EAP)" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "extra": [ { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EU, 2022, Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on a general Union Environment Action Programme to 2030, OJ L 114, 12.4.2022, p. 22&#x2013;36.</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EU, Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on a general Union Environment Action Programme to 2030", "zoteroId": "HYCFJYPW" } ], "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EC, 2022, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS on the monitoring framework for the 8th Environment Action Programme: Measuring progress towards the attainment of the Programme&#x2019;s 2030 and 2050 priority objectives</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": "EC, 2022, COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE", "uid": "t7ffD", "zoteroId": "8B97VMRI" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": ". It contributes mainly to monitoring aspects of the 8" }, { "children": [ { "text": "th" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " EAP priority objective Article 2.2.c that shall be met by 2030: \u2018advancing towards a well-being economy that gives back to the planet more than it takes and accelerating the transition to a non-toxic circular economy, where growth is regenerative, resources are used efficiently and sustainably, and the waste hierarchy is applied\u2019. For the purposes of 8" }, { "children": [ { "text": "th" } ], "type": "sup" }, { "text": " EAP monitoring, this indicator assesses specifically whether the EU will significantly reduce the per capita total amount of generated waste by 2030" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "data": { "footnote": "<?xml version=\"1.0\"?>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\" style=\"line-height: 1.35; \">\n <div class=\"csl-entry\">EC, 2021, COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Digital Solutions for Zero Pollution Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Pathway to a Healthy Planet for All EU Action Plan: &#x2018;Towards Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil&#x2019;</div>\n</div>\n", "footnoteTitle": " 2021, COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Digita", "uid": "MqGcJ", "zoteroId": "X862XGD4" }, "type": "zotero" }, { "text": "." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": " " } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "The zero pollution ambition of the EU calls for a significant reduction in EU waste generation by 2030 and this indicator also monitors progress towards this EU policy objective. " }, { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "u" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "i" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ]
Frequency of dissemination 2
Accuracy and uncertainties [ { "children": [ { "text": "Methodology uncertainty" } ], "type": "h4" }, { "children": [ { "text": "No uncertainty has been specified." } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Data sets uncertainty" } ], "type": "h4" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" }, { "children": [ { "text": "Rationale uncertainty" } ], "type": "h4" }, { "children": [ { "text": "No uncertainty has been specified." } ], "type": "p" } ]
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Short name waste-generation-and-decoupling-in-europe
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