More than 70 percent recycled
Germans produce slightly less waste
06/02/2023 11:17 am
Declining waste generation despite Corona: According to the Federal Statistical Office, less waste will be disposed of in 2021. This is mainly due to the decline in the construction industry. In the case of household waste, on the other hand, the figures are less rosy – there is even an increase here.
Around 411.5 million tonnes of waste were disposed of in Germany in 2021. That was 2.5 million tons (0.6 percent) less than in the first Corona year 2020, as the Federal Statistical Office announced on the basis of preliminary results. The decline in waste generation has continued since the peak in 2018 (417.2 million tons), it said.
The Federal Office announced the data on the occasion of International Environment Day next Monday (June 5). “The drop in waste generation is due to another sharp drop in construction and demolition waste of 3.2 percent or 7.4 million tonnes,” the statisticians explained. With a share of almost 54 percent (222 million tons), this area continues to make up the majority of the total volume.
This is followed by the so-called secondary waste already treated in waste treatment plants with a share of 14.4 percent (59.2 million tons). Municipal waste – which also includes household waste – accounted for 12.6 percent (51.8 million tons) in 2021.
More waste in other areas
While there was a significant decline in construction and demolition waste, there was an overall increase in other waste of 4.7 percent to 49.6 million tonnes. For example, secondary waste increased by 2.5 percent and municipal waste by 1.6 percent. Waste from the extraction and treatment of mineral resources also increased slightly in the second Corona year 2021 by 1.4 percent compared to the previous year.
According to the information, 336.9 million tons of waste were recycled in 2021. “That corresponds to a recycling rate of 81.9 percent,” the statisticians explained. Most of the waste (70.1 percent) was therefore recycled, i.e. recycled. According to the data, 16.1 percent of the waste was disposed of in landfills.