pro local Quiz August – Europe´s waste special

Littering happens intentionally or unintentionally in public spaces or in nature without using the litter garbage cans provided.

Cigarette butts are the most frequently discarded item with 2.9 billion pieces or 500 tons per year.

Italy led the way in 2020 with a recycling rate of 83.2%, while Serbia had the lowest rate at 3%.

Europe recycles a total of 42.8% of e-waste, compared to only around 22.3% worldwide. According to forecasts, this figure will fall further by 2030, as recycling will no longer be able to keep up with production.

Turkey accounted for around 39% of all waste exports in 2022. India is in second place, followed by the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway.

Ferrous metal (iron and steel) accounts for 55% of exported EU waste. Paper waste only accounts for around 15% of waste exports.

The most common method is still energy recovery. This means that plastic waste is incinerated in order to convert it into usable heat, electricity or fuel.

At 37.5%, the construction industry is responsible for the most waste. Mining and quarrying is in second place with 23.4%. Households contribute far less to total waste at 9.4 %.

In 2020, Germany generated 401 million tons of waste. Iceland was in last place with only 1.1 million tons of waste.

131 kg of food is wasted per person per year in the EU, i.e. around 60 million tons in total. This waste mainly takes place in private households.