European Total Waste Imports Extra-EU27 (2020) by Country

In 2020, Belgium led Europe's Total Waste Imports from Extra-EU27 countries with high value, followed closely by Germany and Italy. Emerging trends of 2023 highlighted significant growth in Belgium and Lithuania at over 15%, while Portugal and France saw declines over 3%, with France plummeting over 16%. Germany and Italy experienced steady growth around 7-8%. Poland and Luxembourg also showed notable uptrends. Lagging behind, Malta and Cyprus, despite Cyprus' sharp rise in 2023. The sector's recovery post-pandemic and regulatory changes influence these shifts.

Future trends to monitor include the impact of stricter European environmental regulations, advancements in recycling technologies, and shifting trade relations post-Brexit, which may alter waste import dynamics. An increased focus on sustainability could drive higher internal EU waste recycling, reducing reliance on extra-EU waste imports.