LANDFILL STILL THE MOST IMPORTANT WAY OF WASTE DISPOSAL IN EUROPE

Landfilling is still the main method of treating municipal waste in Europe. No less than 40% of European municipal waste ends up in landfill. This is shown by the 2008 annual figures from Eurostat, the EU's statistical office. In a number of countries, including Bulgaria, Malta and Latvia, more than 90% of municipal waste is treated in this not very environmentally friendly way. The figures also show that the Netherlands is still not a frontrunner in the field of recycling.

Of the total of more than 260 million tonnes of municipal waste, 22% is recycled, 19% incinerated and 17% composted. Germany is the biggest recycler of all EU countries. It landfills virtually no waste (1%), and the majority of municipal waste is recycled (46%) or composted (16%) by our eastern neighbours. The Netherlands also landfills only 1% of its municipal waste, really only those materials that cannot be incinerated.

Middle bracket

However, the Netherlands is not among the top countries when it comes to recycling. It ranks seventh out of the 27 member states in terms of recycling rate, which means it is in the middle bracket. In our country, 27% of municipal waste is recycled. Countries like Sweden, Slovenia, Belgium, Ireland and Austria recycle more.

The 2008 Eurostat figures show that the average European produced one kilogram less municipal waste than in the previous year: 524 kg per year. The Danes produce the most household waste (802 kg) and Cypriots and Irish also score well above average. The average Dutch person also produces almost 100 kg more than the European average: 622 kg per inhabitant. The smallest mountains of household waste are found in the Czech Republic (306 kg per inhabitant), Poland (320 kg) and Slovakia (328 kg).

Eurostat annual figures

Also read the article in the Gazet van Antwerpen on the consequences of landfilling in Eastern Europe

Landfilling is still the main method of treating municipal waste in Europe. No less than 40% of European municipal waste ends up in landfill. This is shown by the 2008 annual figures from Eurostat, the EU's statistical office. In a number of countries, including Bulgaria, Malta and Latvia, more than 90% of municipal waste is treated in this not very environmentally friendly way. The figures also show that the Netherlands is still not a frontrunner in the field of recycling.

Of the total of more than 260 million tonnes of municipal waste, 22% is recycled, 19% incinerated and 17% composted. Germany is the biggest recycler of all EU countries. It landfills virtually no waste (1%), and the majority of municipal waste is recycled (46%) or composted (16%) by our eastern neighbours. The Netherlands also landfills only 1% of its municipal waste, really only those materials that cannot be incinerated.Middle bracket However, the Netherlands is not among the top countries when it comes to recycling. It ranks seventh out of the 27 member states in terms of recycling rate, which means it is in the middle bracket. In our country, 27% of municipal waste is recycled. Countries like Sweden, Slovenia, Belgium, Ireland and Austria recycle more. The 2008 Eurostat figures show that the average European produced one kilogram less municipal waste than in the previous year: 524 kg per year. The Danes produce the most household waste (802 kg) and Cypriots and Irish also score well above average. The average Dutch person also produces almost 100 kg more than the European average: 622 kg per inhabitant. The smallest mountains of household waste are found in the Czech Republic (306 kg per inhabitant), Poland (320 kg) and Slovakia (328 kg). Eurostat annual figures Also read the article in the Gazet van Antwerpen on the consequences of landfilling in Eastern Europe