Target scenarios for residual municipal waste reductions in the EU-27 2030
The European Union (EU-27) currently recycles roughly 48 percent of municipal waste each year, leaving approximately 113 million metric tons of residual municipal waste (neither recycled nor reused) annually. Under the European Commission's Waste Framework Directive, residual municipal waste needs to be reduced by 50 percent by 2030 to roughly 56.5 million metric tons. However, the EU is currently not on track to reach this target without reducing total municipal waste.
Under the Waste Framework Directive, at least 60 percent of EU municipal waste should be prepared for reuse or to be recycled by 2030. However, as Scenario 1 shows, even if this target is met, the residual waste target would be missed should total municipal waste generation continue to rise on a business as usual approach.
In scenario 2, the target could be met should there be no waste reduction, but this would require EU Member States to reach an ambitious recycling rate of 73 percent by 2030.
Under the Waste Framework Directive, at least 60 percent of EU municipal waste should be prepared for reuse or to be recycled by 2030. However, as Scenario 1 shows, even if this target is met, the residual waste target would be missed should total municipal waste generation continue to rise on a business as usual approach.
In scenario 2, the target could be met should there be no waste reduction, but this would require EU Member States to reach an ambitious recycling rate of 73 percent by 2030.
