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

The 2020 data on European Total Waste Imports Extra-EU27 shows Germany leading with the largest share at 20.1%, followed by the Netherlands at 15.41%, and Greece at 10.27%. Notably, Portugal shows a significant increase in 2023 with a year-on-year growth of 85.61%, while Spain saw a considerable decline of 14%. Over the past two years, countries like Poland and Hungary have experienced notable growth, indicating shifts in waste import dynamics. The variations point towards a steady increase in waste imports in countries like Greece and Bulgaria, while countries like Spain and Cyprus have observed declines.

Future trends to watch include the potential for further growth in countries like Portugal and Poland due to recent positivity in year-on-year growth. Policy changes and environmental regulations will likely influence the waste import landscape in the coming years, with a push towards more sustainable practices affecting overall figures. Additionally, economic and industrial changes within Europe can impact the flow, with potential decreases in countries seeking to close their loops on waste management.