Waste and circular economy

The world produces more than it can consume. Items that could be reused or recycled are often disposed of as waste. The landfilling of hazardous waste affects the quality of soil, drinking water and air. To save natural resources and the environment, more attention must be paid to the correct sorting and reuse of waste and various materials and to overall waste reduction.

Waste statistics tell us how much waste is generated in Estonia and by which activities, and how waste is treated. The data provide an overview of waste recovery, recycling, incineration and landfilling, and allow assessing how efficiently resources are being used.

Each year, Statistics Estonia publishes statistics on waste balance (waste generation and management) and separately on the balance of hazardous waste, based on administrative data collected by the Environment Agency. 

In addition, in every even-numbered year, Statistics Estonia compiles statistics on waste generation by kind of waste and economic activity in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste statistics. The differences in total waste generation between the annual waste balance and the biennial waste generation statistics are due to methodological differences. For example, sludges are reported as dry matter in waste generation statistics but as wet waste in the waste balance. 

Waste statistics are needed for the organisation of waste management by the state and for the development of waste treatment in Estonia. The data are used to shape waste management and environmental policies, to assess the efficiency of resource use and to monitor our progress towards circular economy goals. The data also show Estonia's progress compared with other countries and support the shift towards more sustainable production and consumption.