Luxembourg Among the EU’s Largest Producers of Municipal Waste
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Loading... - Brigitte Martin
- 21 Mar 2025
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Luxembourg ranks as the third-largest producer of municipal waste per capita in the European Union, according to recent data from Eurostat. This statistic encompasses both household waste and general waste generated by small businesses, such as shops and offices.
In 2023, the EU average for municipal waste was 511 kg per person. However, Luxembourg's figures are significantly higher, with residents generating approximately 712 kg per person. This places Luxembourg behind only Austria (803 kg) and Denmark (802 kg) in terms of waste production. In contrast, countries like Romania (303 kg), Poland (367 kg), and Estonia (373 kg) produced much less waste per capita.
The issue of household waste is particularly relevant this week due to the launch of the seventh national waste survey, which serves as a reminder for residents to sort their waste properly. The survey, conducted by the PreZero facility in Bettembourg, occurs every three years. The last report indicated that nearly half of the rubbish in black bins could have been sorted for recycling or composting. Notably, Luxembourgers have reduced their waste output, throwing away 30 kg less per person compared to 2018.
The Environment Ministry of Luxembourg has pointed out that the Eurostat methodology may skew the country's waste figures. The statistics do not account for over 200,000 cross-border workers who contribute to waste generation while not being counted in the resident population. A ministry spokesperson noted, “Many cross-border commuters produce waste on a daily basis, but are not counted in the population, which biases the indicator in question.”
Additionally, a new European definition of municipal waste has been in effect since 2016, which has led to a sharp increase in Luxembourg's reported waste figures—from 607 kg per person to 815 kg. However, this definition has not yet been uniformly applied across all EU countries, complicating comparisons.
Despite the high per capita waste generation, Luxembourg has seen a notable decrease in the total amount of municipal waste produced. In 2023, the country generated 475,000 tonnes of waste, reflecting a 4.6% reduction compared to 2020. This decline is more significant than the EU average decrease of 1.6% and also surpasses reductions seen in France (-0.4%) and Belgium (-3.4%), though it is less than Germany's reduction of 5.4%.
The EU has set a strategic objective to reduce residual municipal waste by 50% by 2030, although a recent report from the European Commission indicates that this goal is currently off-track for both the EU as a whole and individual member states.
Despite generating a large volume of waste, Luxembourg boasts a high recycling ratio. In 2023, the country recycled 401 kg of municipal waste per person, a significant increase from 285 kg a decade earlier. This recycling rate surpasses that of France (224 kg per person) and Belgium (378 kg), but is slightly lower than Germany's rate of 410 kg.
In 2023, the EU recycled an average of 246 kg of municipal waste per person, up from 199 kg in 2013. Furthermore, Luxembourg's consumption of single-use plastic bags is well below the EU target of 40 bags per person per year, with residents averaging only 24 bags annually, compared to the EU average of 67.
Luxembourg's position as one of the largest producers of municipal waste in the EU highlights the ongoing challenges of waste management and recycling. While the country has made strides in reducing waste generation and increasing recycling rates, the complexities of cross-border waste contributions and the need for consistent definitions across the EU remain critical issues to address. As Luxembourg continues to navigate these challenges, the focus on sustainable waste practices will be essential for achieving long-term environmental goals.
