АNIMAL AND VEGETAL WASTE GENERATED BY EU MEMBER STATES IN THE PERIOD 2016 – 2020

Abstract

Waste generation poses a significant challenge in today’s world, prompting ongoing efforts to find effective solutions. While different countries have made varying progress in addressing this issue, environmental protection and the enhancement of food product quality remain key drivers. Notably, the agricultural sector enjoys an advantage: a relatively small proportion of its waste is hazardous. In fact, most of the waste generated is both safe and recyclable. Proper management of processing procedures is crucial to unlock its potential for widespread utilization across diverse economic activities and in various forms. This study aims to track the trends and compare agricultural waste generation in Bulgaria with that of the other EU Member States. It spans the years 2016, 2018, and 2020, analysing waste data by type for each year. Using available Eurostat data, the authors have made their own calculations. The findings underscore the importance of addressing waste management promptly, emphasizing the need to limit and minimize waste generation within the European Union during the specified period.