CO2 reduction potential in European waste management

This study from 2022, building on the previous study (2008), sheds light on the waste management industry’s treatment volumes and associated CO2 emissions of selected waste streams. Respectively, this study seeks to stimulate the discussions on the realisation of the potentials outlined in this study.

CE Delft, Prognos

"To begin this research FEAD formed a group with three other European Waste Management Associations: CEWEP, RDF Industry Group, and DWMA, fully representing the entire waste management chain from collection to recycling, recovery and disposal. Jointly they pursued the project of a unique study covering the EU27 and the UK to show the potential of improved waste management performances over the next 20 years.
Two renowned research organisations, Prognos and CE Delft were commissioned to carry out a study on nine specific waste streams and residual waste, that were deemed to have the highest potential in CO2 reductions; the baseline used for the study are figures from 2018, amounting to 505 Mt of waste, equivalent to 20% of the waste generated in the EU.
The study showed in the end that the potential of avoided CO2 emissions is truly impressive under two scenarios envisaged for 2035.
By successfully applying current waste legislation (projection 1), we would significantly improve our CO2 avoidance potential to -137 Mt CO2eq, delivering a saving of 150 Mt CO2eq. With more ambitious performances (projection 2), the CO2 net emission avoidance would reach -283 Mt CO2eq, which would result in savings of 296 Mt CO2eq.
These results consider the CO2 savings from the manufacturing and energy sectors that rely on recyclates and waste-to-energy instead of virgin materials and fossil fuels.