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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).
In the Netherlands, the rose steadily to over 115% of the 2010 level by 2018. In 2022, a sharp decrease to 95% (compared with 2010) can be observed (see graph). This decrease means that the Netherlands is on track to meet the EU waste policy objective on the amount of waste generated in comparison with 2010 (see graph). In 2020, the year the COVID-19 pandemic struck, both the amount of waste generated, and gross domestic product (GDP) showed a sharp decrease. It will be interesting to see if data on waste in more recent years show a continued decrease in the amount of waste generated, since the Dutch GDP is recovering.
To stimulate increased recycling efforts and discourage incineration and landfilling, the Netherlands has been implementing a stringent waste policy for decades. In recent years, 80% of the total amount of waste (including imported waste) .
References and footnotes
- ↵Eurostat, ‘Generation of waste by waste category, hazardousness and NACE Rev. 2 activity’, env_wasgen, 30 September 2024, accessed 30 June 2025, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_wasgen__custom_16089465/default/table?lang=en.
- ↵Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management, Afvalverwerking in Nederland, gegevens 2022, Utrecht, 2024, accessed 30 June 2025, https://www.verenigingafvalbedrijven.nl/userfiles/files/Werkgroep%20Afvalregistratie_Afvalverwerking%20in%20Nederland%20gegevens%202022.pdf.