Municipal waste market analysis: Poland and Europe
In Europe, the largest producer of municipal waste in 2019 was Denmark, followed by Luxembourg and Norway. Poland was at the bottom of this ranking, just behind Belgium, Hungary and Estonia. Our analysis of the municipal waste market showed that Poland was among the European countries generating the least municipal waste.
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How much municipal waste do Poland and Europe generate?
In 2019 Poland generated 12.8 m tonnes of municipal waste, an average of 332 kg per inhabitant (GUS), compared with 844 kg per inhabitant in Denmark, Europe's largest producer (Eurostat).
Municipal waste accounts for about 10% of all waste. As the world's population grows, the production of consumer goods increases. In addition, technological development shortens the lifespan of various kinds of products. As a result, the growing amount of waste is becoming a more serious problem every year, in Europe and around the world.
According to the most recent Eurostat data, in 2019 Denmark was the largest producer of municipal waste in Europe. Each inhabitant generated 844 kg of municipal waste per year. Next came Luxembourg (791 kg per inhabitant) and Norway (776 kg per inhabitant).
In Poland, according to Statistics Poland (GUS), each inhabitant generated an average of 332 kg of municipal waste in 2019. In total, Poland generated 12.8 m tonnes of municipal waste, an increase on previous years.
| Country | Municipal waste per inhabitant (kg/year) |
|---|---|
| Denmark | 844 |
| Luxembourg | 791 |
| Norway | 776 |
| Poland | 332 |
02
How much municipal waste in Europe is recycled?
According to a report published by the European Parliament, about 46% of all municipal waste in Europe is recycled and composted. North-western Europe (Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Finland) makes almost no use of landfill; these countries rely mainly on incineration and recycling. Germany and Austria are among the countries that recycle the most waste. In eastern and southern Europe, including Malta, Cyprus and Greece, more than 80% of municipal waste is landfilled. In Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia the figure is over 60%, and in Spain and Portugal at least half. Lithuania, Latvia, Ireland, Italy, France, Estonia, Slovenia and Luxembourg use incineration and send no more than a third of their waste to landfill. In Latvia and Estonia more than 40% of household waste is recycled.
| Countries | Municipal waste sent to landfill |
|---|---|
| Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Finland | almost no use of landfill |
| Malta, Cyprus, Greece | more than 80% |
| Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia | over 60% |
| Spain, Portugal | at least half |
| Lithuania, Latvia, Ireland, Italy, France, Estonia, Slovenia, Luxembourg | no more than a third |
03
How is the waste management market in Europe segmented?
The waste management market can be segmented by waste type, by waste management services, i.e. collection and disposal, and by region.
The waste management market can be divided and analysed by:
• waste type (apart from municipal waste, industrial and hazardous waste can be distinguished),
• waste management services (i.e. collection and disposal); the collection segment is divided into collection and transport, storage and transfer, and sorting; the disposal segment, in turn, is divided into landfill, recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion and other methods.
• region.
04
Which companies lead the waste management market in Europe?
Veolia and Suez are the two largest waste management companies in Europe. In 2020 they recorded revenue of USD 31.24 bn (Veolia) and USD 21.16 bn (Suez). These groups are also the two largest waste management companies in the world.
Other major players in the European waste management market are Biffa Plc, Renewi and FCC Environment (United Kingdom), Remondis Se & Co. Kg (Germany) and Urbaser (Spain).
05
How did COVID-19 affect the municipal waste market?
The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the amount of waste from offices, retail and industrial premises, but households disposed of more waste, which increased the amount of municipal waste.
Both waste generation and the collection of recyclable materials were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because economic activity was suspended, demand for goods fell. People spent almost all their time at home, working remotely. As a result of this change in lifestyle, the amount of waste generated in offices, retail and industrial premises decreased. Because people worked and spent their free time differently, households disposed of more waste, which increased the amount of municipal waste.
Sources:
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Source: MarketHub, "Municipal waste market analysis: Poland and Europe", markethub.pl, 10.2021