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Environmental information systems
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The indicator shows the total generated amount of all types of waste from all economic sectors and households, and compares it with economic development measured as gross domestic product (GDP).
Municipal waste generation in Kosovo increased from . During the same period, gross domestic product per capita rose by 84 %, from. Most municipal waste is disposed of in sanitary landfills, with disposal rates rising steadily between . The increase in waste generation and gross domestic product is linked to higher consumption, economic growth, public infrastructure investments and .
However, the trend in municipal waste generation is not aligned with the EU’s 2030 policy targets. Kosovo’s integrated waste management strategy for 2024–2035 aims to increase municipal waste recycling by 50 % by 2035 and reduce waste disposal by 70 % compared .
To improve waste management, Kosovo is adopting EU standards, promoting recycling, applying circular economy principles, and enhancing waste collection and sorting systems. Public education and incentives for waste reduction are key components of the strategy, although challenges remain.
References and footnotes
- ↵Eurostat, ‘Generation of waste by waste category, hazardousness and NACE Rev. 2 activity’, env_wasgen, 30 September 2024, accessed 25 June 2025, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_wasgen__custom_10317000/default/table.
- ↵Kosovo Agency of Statistics, ‘Municipal waste 2007–2023’, Kosovo Agency of Statistics website, 2023, accessed 2 July 2025, https://askdata.rks-gov.net/pxweb/en/ASKdata/ASKdata__Environment__Mbeturinat__Anketa%20e%20Mbeturinave%20Komunale/env02.px/.
- ↵World Bank Group, ‘GDP per capita (current US$) - Kosovo’, World Bank website, 2024, accessed 25 June 2025, https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=XK.
- ↵Kosovo Agency for Environmental Protection, ‘Report of municipal waste management in Kosovo – Reporting year 2021’, Pristina, 2022, accessed 25 June 2025, https://ammk-rks.net/assets/cms/uploads/files/Raporti%20i%20mbeturinave%20komunale%20p%C3%ABr%20vitin%202021_%20eng(1).pdf.
- ↵Kosovo Agency of Statistics, ‘Municipal waste deposited in licensed landfills for 2019–2023’, Kosovo Agency of Statistics website, 2023, accessed 2 July 2025, https://askdata.rks-gov.net/pxweb/en/ASKdata/ASKdata__Environment__Mbeturinat__Anketa%20e%20Mbeturinave%20Komunale/mbeturinat.px/.
- ↵World Bank Group, ‘Kosovo – Overview’, World Bank Group website, 2025, accessed 2 July 2025, https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/kosovo/overview.
- ↵Government of Kosovo, ‘Kosovo integrated waste management strategy (2021–2030) and action plan (2021–2023)’, government website, 2021, accessed 25 June 2025, https://gzk.rks-gov.net/ActDocumentDetail.aspx?ActID=42930.