Serbia recorded the largest decline in household waste recycling in Europe between 2010 and 2019, as much as 70%, and the average recycling rate is only 0.4%.
At the same time, the recycling of household waste in Croatia jumped by as much as 655%, so the recycling rate in 2019 was a solid 30.2%, compared to only 4% in 2010, according to a study by Clear It Waste Services, which provides waste disposal services.
Croatia is second in terms of the increase in household waste recycling among the 32 observed countries. Lithuania took the first place, where recycling jumped by 914% and where the recycling rate in 2019 was 49.7%, compared to less than 5% recorded in 2010.
Montenegro took third place, with an increase in household waste recycling by 511% from 2010 to 2019, but the average recycling rate was only 3.6%, so this country still found itself in the penultimate place among those where it was recorded significant growth.
The second largest drop in recycling, of 10%, was recorded in Romania, according to a statement from Clear It Waste Services.
Among other countries covered by Balkan Green Energy News, Slovenia grew by 164%, ranking sixth in Europe, while Bulgaria shares 16th position with France, with an increase of 29%, and Greece ranks 17th, with 23%.
The highest average rate in Europe was recorded in Germany, where as much as 65.5% of household waste is recycled.
Austria came in second with a rate of 57.6%, followed by Belgium, with 53.9%, the Netherlands, with 52.1%, and Switzerland, with 51.8%, according to the study, which used official data of Eurostat – European Union Statistics Office.
The statement also notes that the European Environment Agency has registered a significant increase in the amount of household waste in the EU in recent years, while the union strives to become climate neutral by 2050, BiF reports.
