Europe's Path to Decarbonization in Waste Management

- Methane & Landfilling Trajectories in CZ, HR, and SI >>>

A Warm Welcome to WasteCulture!

We created WasteCulture to address the planetary crisis by inspiring collaboration across all areas of public life, including politics, science, economy and society.

  • Explore best practices on waste solutions.
  • Share your expertise and connect with an international network of scientists, engineers, and waste-management professionals.
  • Co-Create sustainable waste management and help ensure that the 1.5°C climate target is not exceeded in the long term.
Modulo Wertstoffhöfe GmbH
The First Phase of Paderborn's Recycling Center Modernization: A Covered Drop-Off Elevated Platform by Modulo Wertstoffhöfe GmbH
Thanks to the elevated drop-off platform, this facility remained operational throughout the construction work and the remaining construction phases in the rear section of the site could proceed without major disruptions.
Experts / Involved Parties
Frank Boateng Acheampong
Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂĽr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Philipp Schmidt-Pathmann
Institute for Energy and Resource Management (IeRM)
Professor Enrique Posada Restrepo
WtERT Colombia, HATCH, Grupo Pospin
More
UNEP
AI Helping UN Detect Methane Emissions and Spark Real Reductions in Climate-Warming Gas
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is helping turn satellite observations into methane mitigation action in the oil and gas sector. These mitigation efforts have delivered a climate benefit comparable to removing the annual emissions of almost 24 million gasoline-powered passenger cars, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
Balkan Green Energy News
Landfill Fires in Serbia are Constant Environmental and Public Health Crisis
Six landfill fires erupt every day in Serbia, on average. However, open flames are only the visible part of the problem: waste can smolder deep inside dumpsites for extended periods, releasing substances harmful to human health, warned Dejan Lekić, a member of the National Environmental Association (NEA) and creator of the xEco Vazduh air quality application.
Why U.S. Landfill MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, Verification) and CO2 Treatment Have Serious Structural Flaws Overview Philipp Pathmann
Current U.S. climate policy treats waste-to-energy (WTE) facilities and landfills in fundamentally unequal ways.
Bayer. Staatsministerium fĂĽr Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz
Cost-intensive aftercare of the Gallenbach household waste landfill, Germany
In the first twenty years after the closure of the Gallenbach landfill in 1991, a sum in the tens of millions of euros had to be spent on surface sealing measures and the capture of landfill gas.
WasteCulture
WasteCulture at the 17th WtE Prague Conference 2026: A Roadmap for the Future of Waste Management, 27–28 May 2026, Prague, Czech Republic
With many thanks to SEWACO s.r.o. our WasteCulture country lead for Czech Republic, we are proud to bring in some new ideas about knowledge management and how important energy recovery from waste is for GHG mitigation.
Prognos
New Study: Methane Emissions from Europe’s Landfills
This study underscores the importance of strengthening data foundations and adopting consistent modelling approaches to support effective climate action in the waste sector.
ESWET
EU ETS Proposal Recognises the Need for a Tailored Transition for Waste-to-Energy
ESWET welcomes a delayed and gradual integration while calling for the transition period to deliver the conditions necessary for effective decarbonisation[1].
European Environmental Bureau
Commission Caves to Industrial Laggards, Weakening EU Carbon Market
The European Commission today tabled its revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the cornerstone of Europe’s climate policy that is designed to make polluters pay and drive industrial decarbonisation.
ESWET
Electrification Action Plan: A Welcome Boost for Waste Heat, but Definitions Must Keep Pace with Ambition
ESWET, the European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology, welcomes the Electrification Action Plan adopted today as a clear acknowledgement that Europe’s path to energy independence does not run through electricity alone.
ZMS Zweckverband MĂĽllverwertung Schwandorf
PV installations of ZMS/OVEG Schwandorf - Sustainable Regional Value Creation and Decarbonization in the Oberpfalz Region
The photovoltaic (PV) installations operated by the Zweckverband Müllverwertung Schwandorf (ZMS)—a municipal waste management association—and its subsidiary, Ostbayerische Verwertungs- und Energieerzeugungsgesellschaft mbH (OVEG), make a significant contribution to the regional energy transition.
European Environmental Bureau
EU Electrification Plan Finally Tackles Barriers to Fossil-Free Heating and Cooling
The European Commission today unveiled its Electrification Action Plan, proposing a legally binding electrification target, measures to make electricity more competitive than fossil fuels, and new tools to accelerate the shift away from fossil heating.
European Comission
European Commission Proposes Plan to Electrify Europe and Revise the Emissions Trading System (ETS)
The European Commission wants to strengthen Europe's competitiveness, drive decarbonisation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. To this end, it has presented an action plan on electrification and the revision of the Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Fernanda Butron
French Parliament Passes Law Targeting Ultra-Fast Fashion Retailers
The French Parliament has approved legislation aimed at regulating the environmental impact of ultra-fast fashion, completing more than two years of legislative debate.
Current State of Waste Management in the Czech Republic (2025-2026) Jakub Dolezal, Vojtech Dolezal and Mirnela Džaferagić
The Czech Republic has made significant progress in waste recycling and circular economy policies over the last decade, but landfilling remains one of its biggest challenges.
Modulo Wertstoffhöfe GmbH
Additional Floor Space and Flexibility at the Recycling Center in Teltow, Germany
These were two of the main reasons why Abfallwirtschaft Potsdam-Mittelmark chose Modulo.
UN Environment Programme
UNEP and GEF Kick Off Global Initiative to Strengthen Monitoring of Toxic Chemicals and Mercury
The initiative will strengthen global monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury to support multilateral environmental agreements.