1. Calculation of waste management indicators
Methods of data compilation and the effects on the comparability of results
Calculation of waste management indicators
Jürgen Gonser
ARGUS
THE CONTRACTOR IS ACTING UNDER A FRAMEWORK CONTRACT CONCLUDED WITH THE COMMISSION
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

2. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Objective of the Waste Management Indicators
Objective of the waste management indicators (WMI):
to measure how the waste that is generated in the EU and in Member States is finally treated, in the EU/in MS or abroad
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

3. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Waste management indicators – Basic concept
The indicators are based on WStatR data and on COMEXT data (or national import/export data)
The indicator set covers:
all 6 WStatR treatment categories
all waste categories except:
Mineral waste from construction and demolition (12.1)
Other mineral wastes (12.2, 12.3, 12.5)
Soils (12.6)
Dredging spoils (12.7)
The indicators express the treatment rate for each type of treatment
The treatment rates sum up to 100%
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

4. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
WStatR: Relation Generation  Treatment
Why do we need import/export data?
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

5. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Adjustment for waste imports and exports (2)
Waste imports and exports are determined on the basis of the Combined Nomenclature (CN) and the COMEXT data
In spite of known shortcomings the COMEXT data are considered as the best available data source
A list of 128 waste related CN-codes waste compiled
Each selected CN code was assigned to:
the appropriate EWC-Stat category
the predominant treatment operation
Exports are added and imports are subtracted to/from the amounts that are recycled within the EU or within the country respectively.
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

6. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Assignment of CN-codes to treatment categories (1)
Each CN code is assigned to one treatment category
Information used for the assignment to treatment categories:
WStatR data  Information on predominant treatment in the EU
Waste Shipment data  Information on treatment (R and D-codes)
COMEXT data  information on geographical origin and destination of waste imports/exports
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

7. Assignment of CN-codes to treatment categories (2)
130 waste-related CN-codes (ref. year 2010, 2012)
Recycling (RCV_O) 111 codes
Other treatment 19 codes
Energy recovery (RVC_E) 6 codes
Incineration (INC) 9 codes
Landfilling (DSP_D) 4 codes
Backfilling (RCV_B) 0 codes
Other disposal (DSP_O) 0 codes
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

8. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Assignment of CN-codes to treatment categories (3)
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

9. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Treatment rates in the EU-28 for 2012
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

10. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Relevance of foreign trade on national level
Share of net exports and imports in relation to the total recycling of national waste (net exports) and to the total recycling in the country (net imports), 2012
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

11. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Recycling rates at national level, 2010 & 2012
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016

12. ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016
Limitations and sources of error
WStatR-related problems:
Treatment category RCV_O is largely but not completely identical with the WFD definition of recycling
The indicator measures the input to the treatment facility which does not necessarily equal the finally recycled amount
Different data coverage across countries with regard to by-products
Problems related to import / export data:
CN codes do not consistently distinguish between waste and goods
Incomplete data coverage for Intra-EU trade due to national reporting thresholds
Treatment method to which the CN-codes are assigned are based on assumptions
ESTP – Training on waste statistics, 6th/7th December 2016