Belgium is one of nine EU Member States on track to meet the 2025 recycling targets for both municipal waste and packaging waste, a report by the European Commission revealed on Thursday.
The Benelux countries are faring well in this ranking, along with Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy and Slovenia.
According to the report, these countries are on track to recycle and prepare for reusing 55% of municipal waste and recycle 65% of all packaging waste by 2025.
Eighteen other EU countries are at risk of missing one or both recycling targets.
Every year, Europeans generate an average of 530 kilos of municipal waste per person (household waste and similar waste from businesses). Almost half of this is recycled or composted, while 23% is landfilled.
Packaging waste grew by 15% between 2013 and 2020. Overall 64% is recycled, but the rates are higher for paper, cardboard or metal (75%) than plastic (less than 40%).
The Commission made recommendations for countries that are not on track to meet the targets, pointing out the possibilities for technical and financial support.
