Comprehensive assessment of environmental and economic impacts of the entire EU waste management system

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive model that quantifies environmental and economic impacts across the entire EU27 waste management system using Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing. Addressing a crucial gap in official statistics, this model evaluates waste from both collected and generated perspectives, providing insights into the significant portion of waste (approximately 171 Mt annually) classified as mixed waste (also commonly referred to as “mixed residual waste” or “residual waste”). Results demonstrate that assessing waste from both perspectives effectively identifies inefficiencies in collection and treatment systems, revealing critical waste groups and high-impact processes. Although the waste management system as a whole shows net climate benefits, these are mainly related to metals, and the overall modest savings underscore the need for targeted improvements. Our findings highlight that net impacts on Climate Change are driven mainly by management of mineral waste and biowaste, and the incineration of plastic and textiles misallocated to mixed waste, while internal and external costs are highest for mineral waste and biowaste.

While current EU policies focus prevalently on plastic and textiles, our findings indicate that biowaste, mineral waste and sludge require renewed attention, with special efforts needed to reduce misallocations of recyclable waste to mixed waste. Improving reporting standards, especially to monitor mixed waste more accurately, could help identify misallocation patterns. This model offers policymakers a valuable tool for assessing scenarios, investment decisions, and advancing the EU’s circular economy objectives.