Waste 21

Appendix B Waste amounts and statistical basis

B 1 Developments in waste amounts
B 1.1 Status
B 1.2 Developments in waste amounts
B 1.3 Waste - a resource

B 2 Technological development in waste management
B 2.1 Status
B 2.2 Future initiatives
B 2.3 Economy

B 3 Statistical basis
B 3.1 Status
B 3.2 Future initiatives
B 3.3 Regulation
B 3.4 Environmental impact assessment
B 3.5 Implications for national authorities
B 3.6 Implications for local authorities

B 1 Developments in waste amounts

B 1.1 Status

	stabilise total waste amounts
	utilise energy and raw material resources in waste

Total waste amounts increased from 1995 to 1996 by 10 per cent, but decreased by 0.5 per cent from 1996 to 1997. Overall objectives for waste treatment year 2000 have been met⁴⁵.

Total waste generation was relatively stable from 1996 to 1997. This is mainly due to a decrease of 24 per cent in amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants, and an increase in construction and demolition waste of 11 per cent. Waste amounts from industry, the service sector and wastewater treatment plants only increased by 1 to 4 per cent, and household waste arisings were stable.

In Denmark, 12.9 million tons of waste were generated in 1997 (see Table 1). Of this, 2 per cent was hazardous waste⁴⁶ and 7 per cent packaging waste⁴⁷.

Table 1 states distribution of waste generation 1994-1997 by source. Source: Waste statistics 1997, Environmental Review from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency No. xx, 1999.

Targets for recycling have been met, as 63 per cent of waste was recycled. The target of reducing waste for landfilling has also been met; 16 per cent of waste is landfilled today. Incineration accounts for 19 per cent, and special treatment for 1 per cent.

The high recycling rate of construction and demolition waste has especially contributed to the high overall recycling rate.

B 1.2 Developments in waste amounts

Waste generation is the result of all activities in society. Total waste generation related to gross national product shows a trend of increasing amounts of waste per DKK GNP in the period from 1985 to 1996. Waste generation is not similar within different sectors or waste fractions. The ratio between waste amounts and GNP is relatively stable for household waste, whereas a certain increase in the ratio is seen within the service sector.

Source: Waste Statistics 1997, Environmental Review from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency No. 1, 1999

The Risų National Laboratory has developed a scenario model for the Danish Environmental Protection Agency in which amounts of waste from primary sources are linked to waste generating economic activity in ADAM⁴⁸.

The model assumes that there is a direct correlation between waste amounts and waste generating economic activity, and the model can be used for scenario analyses of impacts of changes in level and composition of economic activities on amounts of waste generated.

Another important assumption of the model is that mechanisms of waste generation remain the same. This means that the relationship between waste amounts and the relevant economic activity (waste coefficient) is always constant. This assumption is a simplification of real life, but since waste data are only available for the period 1994 to 1996, it is not yet possible to determine future developments in the rate of waste coefficients more precisely.

The assumption of constant waste coefficients means that the model cannot take into consideration the impact of behavioural changes, new technology or political measures within waste generation. Once waste data for a longer period than 1994 to 1996 are available it will be possible to determine more precisely how behavioural changes in the population influence developments in waste coefficients. In any case, it will be necessary to supplement the model with assessments of impacts of new technology and political measures within waste generation.

A comparison of the model with actual developments in waste amounts in the period 1994-1996 shows that the model can account for around 80 per cent of the increase in waste amounts from 1994 to 1996. This means, as assumed, that a considerable part of the increase in total waste amounts can be attributed to economic development, whereas the remaining part of the increase in waste amounts must be attributed to other factors such as new legislation or behavioural changes.

Stricter requirements for emissions into the atmosphere or the aquatic environment will, for example, lead to more waste in the form of cleaning products. The development of energy-saving products and subsequent political pressure to use these (refrigeration equipment, double-glazed windows etc.) will in certain periods also lead to increased shift to new products, and thereby to more waste. By contrast, new energy policy targets of phasing out coal-based energy production will lead to a decrease in amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants within the next 30 years.

The impact of economic development and other waste generating mechanisms will also differ from one sector to another and from one fraction to another.

For example, economic development has a smaller impact on amounts of domestic waste from households than on production waste from industry. Correspondingly, stricter environmental requirements for air and wastewater emissions will primarily lead to increasing waste amounts from industry, whereas the shift to more energy-saving products will have the largest impact on bulky waste amounts from households.

In order to decelerate the general increase in waste generation, it is necessary to clarify mechanisms behind waste generation within different sectors, fractions and waste streams. On the basis of this knowledge, waste preventive initiatives will be adapted to the different sectors or waste fractions in focus.

The scenario model will be a useful tool in identifying which sectors and fractions should be in focus in order to decelerate developments in waste amounts. It will, however, be necessary to supplement the model with assessments of impacts from behavioural changes, technological developments and political measures.

B 1.3 Waste - a resource

Waste contains energy and raw material resources that may be utilised. In Denmark, the energy resource in waste suitable for incineration is recovered. Waste may also contain raw material resources such as heavy metals.

The challenge ahead is to utilise all resources in waste, to recover raw materials in waste, and to bring them back into circulation. Efforts in future will therefore also focus on raw material resources, including the development of treatment methods allowing the recovery of raw material resources in waste.

B 2 Technological development in waste management

B 2.1 Status

	ensure development of treatment technologies for PVC, impregnated wood, batteries, and shredder waste
	ensure continuous and systematic technological development

The quality of waste treatment must be improved. Better-quality waste treatment requires development of new technology.

Denmark has always been at the forefront of waste treatment technology. If technologies suitable for waste of the future are to be developed at an overall level, an intensive effort is called for, allowing us to solve the task systematically in the entire country. It will be necessary for the State to get involved in this work.

Local councils are responsible for waste management. This makes them important operators in the identification of new waste types for separate treatment, the establishment of new logistic systems, and the choice of technologies for the treatment of waste.

Profitable treatment of waste requires, however, that plants have sufficient supply and sound financial basis. The need for sufficient supply will, for example, require that small waste fractions are collected from larger areas. Co-operation among regions - also across borders - or among sectors with many small enterprises may be the key to creating the necessary basis for recycling specific fractions. It may be necessary to establish a small number of plants for the treatment of certain waste streams. The siting of such plants must be adapted to supply and logistics. Kommunekemi A/S is a good example of an enterprise receiving waste fractions and having a collection network that covers all municipalities in the country.

Technological development does not happen automatically in the waste area. The reasons for this are that waste management competence is decentralised and that sources of several waste fractions are dispersed unevenly over the country. For example, one waste fraction may be generated in small quantities in all municipalities. Other waste fractions may arise in large quantities in few municipalities. Therefore, supply is not secured. This constitutes a barrier to innovation and development of profitable collection schemes and treatment methods.

In addition, market prices fluctuate greatly, and consequently initial investments in the sector are risky. There is no incentive to invest in the development of new plants and put them to commercial use.

Both local authorities and enterprises need an incentive to take the lead in developing solutions which are necessary to meet objectives in society.

Today, we have identified a need for technological development for certain fractions, such as plastic (including PVC), impregnated wood, shredder waste, and batteries. The Council for Recycling and Cleaner Technology has in the past five years granted subsidies to a number of projects. Subsidy funds available in the new Environmental Council for Cleaner Products are also important when pilot projects for different waste fractions are launched. However, funds are not sufficient to ensure the necessary improvement.

It is necessary, at an overall level, systematically to develop methods adapted to waste of the future. The State must therefore assume its part of responsibility and become actively involved.

There is a need for intensive efforts to lift the level in waste management. A lift to ensure that waste management in the entire country is improved. This effort will also contribute to ensuring that Denmark in future is also in the forefront with environmentally high-quality waste treatment. Efforts may also have a positive impact on employment. New ways of thinking are required, both in terms of technology and organisation, and it is necessary that improvements are nation-wide.

B 2.2 Future initiatives

	support technological development
	seek additional financing possibilities

Technological development within waste management will be supported. In co-operation with operators, the Government will evaluate areas where there is a need for enhanced efforts and how best to support these efforts.

B 2.3 Economy

The need for financing is to a certain extent covered by funds in the Environmental Council for Cleaner Products. However, the Council is not at present able to grant subsidies for plant investment. There is a need to examine which additional financing possibilities should be established in order to secure development.

B 3 Statistical basis

B 3.1 Status

	collect knowledge on waste at detailed level to be used by
	enterprises
	local and national authorities
	measure effects of future efforts in waste management

There is a need for a registration system allowing the monitoring of waste in a simple way "from cradle to grave", in detail. Data collected will be used by, for example, waste generating enterprises and national and local authorities (local and regional authorities and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency). Data must be used in planning by local authorities to form the basis for decision-making for regulation as well as supervision work.

Data are also needed to monitor whether initiatives have had the desired effect.

A central data reporting system has been established (Information System for Waste and Recycling - the ISAG) which each year gives a good picture of waste generated in Denmark as well as treatment of this waste.

The ISAG gives a good general picture, but it cannot be used to follow different waste streams in detail. For example, the ISAG cannot provide information on origin of waste in terms of industrial sectors.

The ISAG is extended regularly, and the latest modification of the system implied an extension with more detailed information on generation and treatment of hazardous waste. The modification came into effect with reports for 1998.

In parallel to the ISAG, data are collected regularly on different waste fractions in the form of, for example, material stream and mass flow analyses.^49-50.

In addition, several local authorities have developed individual data systems on waste, and consequently waste generating enterprises report information on their waste at different times and to several different authorities.

There is therefore a need to ensure systematic collection of comparable data on waste at a detailed level and in a way that both enterprises and local and national authorities can use data. This need will increase in future, as more and more waste fractions become subject to special treatment.

A proposal is being drafted on a simplified system for registration of data on waste - for waste planning and supervision of waste disposal in Denmark. This will lead to a proposal for a further extension of ISAG data so that it is possible for local authorities and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency to act on the basis of comparable data at a more detailed level than today.

A concrete proposal for the extension of the ISAG has not yet been finalised, but one of the ideas being discussed is a system where present ISAG reports are supplemented by information on, for example, waste carrier, plant capacity, operating data, treatment prices, detailed information on hazardous waste, and geographical source of recycling.

As a tool in municipal waste management planning, the annual reports to the ISAG might be supplemented every four years by detailed information on waste generation directly from enterprises to local authorities or waste companies using such information.

Environmental indicators have been developed in waste management, covering information on waste amounts in general, and especially glass and paper. Indicators are not designed to follow new efforts in waste management, such as efforts that aim at reducing contents of environmental contaminants in waste. With increased focus on environmental contaminants in waste, new indicators are to be developed.

There is also a need to survey the composition of waste from institutions, trade and offices with a view to identifying new areas of effort aimed at increased recycling and reduced landfilling of waste generated in this sector.

In future, there will also be a need to carry out material stream and mass flow analyses for selected waste fractions, especially in areas where the overall data registration (the ISAG) is not sufficient. Such an area is for example bulky waste. Registration of bulky waste is complicated as in some regions it is registered as household waste and in other regions as industrial and commercial waste.

B 3.2 Future initiatives

	extension of waste data registration
	development of indicators for measuring environmental impact of waste
	survey of waste from institutions, trade and offices

Development of methods that can measure the effect of initiatives on reducing environmental impacts in waste management, for example by measuring heavy metals in residues, must be promoted.

When results are available, new indicators will be included in the annual indicator report from the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

A survey will be carried out of waste from institutions, trade and offices.

Material stream and mass flow analyses will be prepared in areas were ISAG registrations are not sufficient.

B 3.3 Regulation

General information on waste is collected under the Information System for Waste and Recycling (the ISAG) which took effect in 1993. The ISAG is administered by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. According to the Statutory Order on Waste, enterprises carrying out collection and treatment of waste must report information on waste managed to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

B 3.4 Environmental impact assessment

An extended data system allowing the monitoring of separate waste fractions will facilitate the assessment of impacts of concrete measures for different waste fractions.

B 3.5 Implications for national authorities

The envisaged modifications to the ISAG system are intended to take effect in connection with reporting as per 31^st January 2001. The Statutory Order on Waste will be amended accordingly.

B 3.6 Implications for local authorities

Local authorities will use the data system to provide the basis for municipal waste management planning, and to carry out supervision of waste management in the municipality.

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