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517 kg municipal waste per capita in 2024

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In 2024, the amount of municipal waste generated per person in the EU corresponded to 517 kg, 6 kg more than in 2023 (511 kg). Compared with 2014, the amount increased by 38 kg (+8%).

The available data reveals significant differences across EU countries. Austria (782 kg per person, 2023 data), Denmark (755 kg), and Belgium (699 kg) recorded the highest levels of municipal waste per person. The lowest amount of waste per person was generated in Romania (305 kg, 2023 data), Estonia (375 kg) and Poland (387 kg).  

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Source dataset: env_wasmun

Since 2014, the amount of municipal waste per person increased in 20 EU countries. Belgium (+274 kg), Czechia (+228 kg) and Austria (+217 kg) had the most significant increases. Conversely, the largest decreases were found in the Netherlands (-54 kg), Denmark (-53 kg) and Finland (-25 kg). 

248 kg per person recycled in the EU

The EU recycled an average of 248 kg of municipal waste per person in 2024. This means that 48.1% of the total amount of this waste generated was recycled, compared with 48.0% in 2023 (246 kg per person) and a more significant improvement compared with 43.0% in 2014 (208 kg per person).

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Methodological notes

  • Municipal waste refers to waste from households as well as other waste that, because of its nature or composition, is similar to waste from households. It does not include, for example, industrial, agricultural, medical, construction and demolition waste. 
  • Data on EU countries are based on the joint Eurostat-OECD Questionnaire, submitted on a voluntary basis.

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