Sharing,reusing,repairing,renovating and recycling existing materials and products as much possible.Circular economy concept. Energy consumption and CO2 emissions are increasing.image: ©Galeanu Mihai | iStock

While the European Union is ahead of global standards in waste management, a new study shows that more improvements are still possible

Better sorting and recycling practices could reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, lower societal costs, and improve the EU’s economic resilience.

Small emission savings

Currently, waste management across the EU helps avoid about 34 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions each year, which is around 1% of the EU’s total annual emissions.

This is a massive contrast to global waste management systems, which, on average, release 250 kg of CO2-equivalent per tonne of municipal waste handled. The EU’s success mainly comes from efficient metal recycling, which accounts for 83% of the emission savings.

However, emissions from managing other waste streams, particularly plastic, textiles, and biowaste, are still high due to low recycling rates and large amounts of waste ending up in mixed bins. When recyclables are misallocated and end up in landfills or incinerators, their potential environmental value is lost, and emissions rise.

Gaps in collection and sorting

The study highlights the issue that what is collected and recorded is only a fraction of what is generated. For example, about half of household waste ends up in the mixed bin. For plastics, only 41% of plastic packaging is separately collected and sent for recycling. The figures are even lower for textiles (22%) and biowaste (under 50%).
This misallocation not only harms the environment but also makes recycling less efficient and more expensive.

Economic costs

Waste management in the EU currently costs society around EUR 136 billion per year, or EUR 304 per citizen. That equals about EUR 68 per tonne of waste managed. These costs include both internal expenses (like collection and treatment) and external environmental costs.

The only material that provides a net societal benefit is metal, due to high recycling rates and substantial market value. In contrast, plastics, biowaste, and mineral waste are some of the most expensive materials to manage. Despite the EU performing better than the global average, the current system still does not generate net benefits for society.

To assess the environmental and economic impacts, the study used Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC). These methodologies take into account the entire life cycle of waste, from generation to disposal, including emissions and cost savings from recycling and energy recovery.

The research offers decision-makers a valuable tool for improving policy, guiding investments, and designing waste management systems that better align with the EU’s circular economy goals.

Better laws to support a circular economy

The EU has already introduced legislation aimed at improving recycling, particularly for plastic packaging, through the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and the Single-Use Plastics Directive. Further reforms are underway, including the Circular Economy Act, which aims to boost the supply and demand for high-quality recycled materials across the EU.

Additionally, the Waste Framework Directive requires Member States to implement separate collection systems for biowaste and textiles. The EU is working toward a target of recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035.

The study clearly shows that while the EU is on the right track, much more can be done. Improved waste sorting, higher recycling rates, and more targeted policies could significantly cut emissions, reduce costs, and support a more sustainable economy.