Waste production in different sectors

How much waste is generated?

The EU Waste Statistics Regulation (2150/2002) harmonizes and regulates the compiling of statistics concerning waste generation, recovery and disposal. The first Finnish statistics meeting the requirements of the regulation were compiled in summer 2006, covering the year 2004. Since that, waste statistics have been compiled for the years 2005–2007. The EU regulation obliges all member states to compile comparable waste statistics every other year. In Finland waste statistics are compiled by Statistics Finland. Next waste statistics will be compiled in June 2010. It will cover data for the year 2008.

In 2004 some 66 million tonnes of waste were generated in Finland. The figure excludes manure recycled in agriculture and logging waste left in forests. In 2007 the amount of wastes generated was approximately 74 million tonnes. The statistics for the recent years show some increase in waste amounts generated.

Generation of wastes in Finland 2004–2007

Source: Statistics Finland.

Which sectors produce waste the most?

The sectors where the largest amounts of wastes were generated during the years 2004–2007 are quarrying and mining, construction and demolition, and manufacturing. In 2007 the construction and demolition sector produced some 25 million tonnes of waste, of which the majority was mineral wastes. The quarrying and mining sector generated circa 24 million tonnes of waste, which mainly consisted of mineral wastes. The manufacturing sector generated about 18.7 million tonnes of waste, of which 7.3 million tonnes in manufacturing and processing of wood and wood products. The industry of pulp, paper and paper products produced some 4.7 million tonnes of waste.

Generation of wastes by sectors, years 2004–2007

Source: Statistics Finland.

Treatment and recovery of waste

Directive on Waste (2008/98/EC) aims at promoting the prevention of waste generation, and the re-usage and recycling of waste generated. According to the five-steps-waste hierarchy set by the directive, firstly waste must be prevented for being generated. Secondly, if waste is generated, it should be prepared for re-use, then recycled, or recovered otherwise (e.g. energy recovery), and lastly disposed of.

Regardless of landfilling being the last option in the waste hierarchy, a vast majority of wastes generated during the years 2004–2007 was deposited at landfills. In 2004 the quantity landfilled was approximately 40.2 million tonnes, respectively in 2007 circa 43.1 million tonnes. When comparing the proportion of wastes landfilled to the total amount generated during the years 2004–2007, a slight decrease can be noticed in landfilling, from 63.2% to 59.5%.

During the years 2004–2007, the amount of wastes recovered as material has slightly been increased. In 2004 some 18.1 million tonnes of waste were recovered as material. Respectively, in 2007 the quantity was 20.5 million tonnes. In 2004 circa 5.2 million tonnes of waste were recovered as energy. The next two years showed some increase in energy recovery, the amount recovered was over 9 million tonnes. In 2007 the quantity recovered as energy decreased to 8.7 million tonnes. When comparing the proportion of wastes recovered as energy to the total amount generated during the years 2004–2007, a slight increase can be noticed in energy recovery, from 8.2% to 12%.

Recovery and disposal of wastes, years 2004–2007

Source: Statistics Finland.