Table 3 shows the waste fractions that are recycled, either by processing, composting or by use as biogas. It should be emphasized that the table expresses the quantities sent for processing, composting or conversion into biogas. In other words, the table does not show the quantities that are actually sold of these fractions.

Source: ISAG-reports for 1995 and 1996, (1) Danisco, Association of Danish Recycling Industries and other bigger scrap dealers, (2) Elsam, Elkraft, (3) reports to the Environmental Protection Agency on sludge for recovery on farmland (only figures for 1995. The figures have been found by stating the quantity of waste accepted from various primary sources. Some of the collective terms such as "Other recyclable waste, "Other building and construction waste" and "Soil and stone" may contribute - after sorting has been completed - to additional quantities of items such as tiles, wood, etc., which are not contained in the statement. (4) Correction for iron and metals transported from waste incineration plants (15,100 tonnes) has been made to avoid double counting.

In terms of quantity, it is the waste fractions associated with manufacturing (iron), building and construction (e.g. concrete and asphalt), coal-fired power stations (fly ash, gypsum and slag) and sewage treatment plants (sludge), which predominate. In addition, glass, paper and cardboard, branches, leaves, etc., account for large quantities, of which the greater part comes from households.

Table 3 shows that compared to 1995, a large increase especially in the quantity of concrete for recycling has taken place in 1996. Chapter 6 comments on this trend in more detail.

Furthermore, there has been a considerable increase in the recycling of garden waste (branches, leaves, etc.) and gypsum from flue gas cleaning products from coal-fired power plants. Finally, the table shows that there has been a drop in the quantity of iron and other metals recycled.

The consumption of new paper, collected waste paper and exports of waste paper are shown in Table 4.

Sources: (1) Rendan’s monitoring of material flow of waste paper and Danmarks Statistik, (2) ISAG-report 1996 and (3) Danmarks Statistik. The difference between on one hand waste paper collected and on the other hand Danish waste paper sent to Danish paper mills and the net export can partly be due to stock enlargement, partly be a consequence of the use of different statistical sources.

The recycling percentage was in 1996 46 percent of the consumption of new paper.

The table shows that Denmark in 1996 had a net export of 220,000 tonnes of waste paper. This figure covers imports of waste paper of 85,000 tonnes and exports of 305,000 tonnes.

The total consumption of new paper throughout the first half of the 90s has been at around 1.2m tonnes. In 1996, 548,000 tonnes of waste paper were collected.

In 1996, the consumption of paper amounted to 224 kg per capita, and on an average 104 kg per capita were collected. Since 1985, the collection percentage has increased from 31% to 46%.

The ISAG statement for glass from primary sources for recycling shows a total quantity of 99,000 tonnes (table 3). When considering only waste from primary sources, a certain simplification is made in relation to the total material flow. This is especially important in relation to glass for which several collection and treatment elements are involved.

As a consequence, the total recycling of glass is commented on below, based on Rendan’s monitoring of material flow of glass which is more detailed.

The consumption of glass packaging has been steadily increasing and in 1995 it amounted to 181,265 tonnes. The major part of the increase is observed within preserving jars. The total glass collection in 1995 amounted to a good 122,656 tonnes according to Rendan’s monitoring of material flow, corresponding to 68% of the total consumption. Of this, 111,341 tonnes were recycled, corresponding to 61%. The refilling percentage for wine and alcohol bottles amounted to 30% in 1995.

Source: Rendan’s monitoring of material flow of glass and bottles 1995.

The above figures do not include bottles for beer and soft drinks manufactured for reuse. Returnable bottles are on an average refilled 35 times. If these bottles were manufactured as non-returnable bottles, the weight of each single bottle would be lower, but it would result in a waste glass quantity of some 350,000 tonnes.

Table 5 shows the collected quantity of iron and other scrap metals, distributed by buyer. The exact total potential of iron/steel and other scrap metal is not known. The recycling industry normally estimates that iron and other scrap metal has a recycling percentage in excess of 90.

Sources: (1) ISAG report 1996, (2) Information from the recovery industry and other bigger scrap dealers. The method used in table 5 to state the recycling of iron is slightly different than the one used for table 3. I.a. the correction for iron and metal transported from waste incineration plants (15,100 tonnes) - to avoid double counting in relation to the total waste production - has not been made for table 5, as this table shows the total balance for iron.

Apart from the quantities imported by scrap dealers, the foundries and The Danish Steelworks imported 263,000 tonnes of iron and other metals in 1996, according to ISAG. In other words, total imports amounted to 298,000 tonnes. The import of iron and other metals was in 1996 about 100,000 tonnes higher than in 1995.

The quantities of organic waste sent for composting, wood chip production and conversion into biogas are shown in Table 6.

In 1995, an agreement between the Minister for the Environment and Energy Svend Auken and a number of organisations was made on the take-back of used tyres from cars, vans and motorcycles. The purpose of the agreement is to ensure the collection and recycling of used tyres in Denmark. As a result, landfilling is avoided and material recovery is assured in which the recycling is prioritised to energy recovery.

The scheme started on 1st April 1995 and is financed by a fee on tyres comprised by the agreement and brought to the Danish market. The fee amounts to DKK 8 per tyre.

Source: Report from the Environmental foundation of the tyre industry 1995 and 1996. 2nd half of 1995 includes 1,000 tonnes collected in the first half of 1995 which increases the collection percentage.

According to the agreement the target for the take-back was 60% for 1995. The target for 1997 is 80% and it is expected that this target is met.