| Front page | | Contents | | Previous | | Next |

Waste Statistics 1998

6. Waste fractions and status compared to targets for year 2004

6.1 Residues from waste incineration plants

Residues from waste incineration plants have not been included in statements of total waste generation presented so far, as waste would otherwise be counted twice.

Figure 7 shows amounts of residues (slag, fly ash, and flue gas cleaning products) from waste incineration in 1998, stated in tonnes, as well as treatment option.

Figure 7 Look here!

As Figure 7 shows, by far the largest proportion of residues is recycled. However, residues cannot be recycled if heavy metal contents are too high – in that case they will be led to landfill.

According to Waste 21, environmental contaminants such as PVC, impregnated wood and waste electrical and electronic equipment may no longer be assigned to incineration.

This means that heavy metal contents in slag will drop significantly. However, at the same time requirements for recycling will become more stringent in consideration of groundwater, and therefore targets from the previous plan of action are maintained in Waste 21, which means a target recycling rate of 70 per cent. 

Source: Calculations based on ISAG reports for 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998, and registrations according to the EU regulation on shipments of waste. Remark that Table 13 and Figure 7 cannot be compared directly, as exports are not included in Figure 7.

In Table 13, amounts of residues removed from waste incineration plants are detailed further.

Amounts of residues from waste incineration naturally depend on amounts of waste incinerated. Slag and flue gas cleaning products account for 20 per cent and 3 per cent respectively of waste feed.

The table shows that amounts removed from waste incineration plants in 1998 are almost similar to amounts in 1997 – there has only been a minor decrease of 4,000 tonnes.

Of amounts removed - 551,000 tonnes - 147,600 tonnes were landfilled, which is 2,600 tonnes less than in 1997.

Recycling of residues from waste incineration accounted in 1998 for 392,000 tonnes, which is some 15,000 tonnes less than in 1997. By contrast, it is estimated that just above 11,000 tonnes were sent to storage in 1998 with a view to future recycling.

6.2 Waste from building and construction activities

In 1998, waste from the building and construction sector amounted to 2,962,000 tonnes, which is 14 per cent or 465,000 tonnes less than in 1997. The reason for this decrease is believed to be the recession in the sector in 1998.

As it can be seen from Figure 8, by far the largest proportion of waste from the building and construction sector was recycled – only 1 per cent of waste was incinerated in 1998, whereas 9 per cent was landfilled. The recycling rate reached 90 per cent in 1998, which is 2 percentage points less than the previous year, but still sufficient for meeting the targets for year 2004.

However, there is still scope for improving waste treatment within the building and construction sector, and future efforts will focus on separating and treating the types of construction waste that are most harmful to the environment, such as PVC and impregnated wood.

Furthermore, we must become better at making "cradle-to-grave" assessments and applying environmentally correct design in new building projects.

There are several reasons for the high recycling rate for construction and demolition waste. Firstly, recycled waste is exempt from the waste tax, contrary to waste landfilled or incinerated. Secondly, a circular¹ on municipal regulations regarding separation of construction and demolition waste with a view to recycling came into effect in 1995.

And finally, the Ministry of Environment and Energy has entered an agreement with the Danish Demolition Association on selective demolition of building materials.

Figure 8 Look here!

Figure 9 shows construction and demolition waste distributed on fractions. The most important fractions are concrete, asphalt, soil and stone.

A large proportion of construction and demolition waste is reprocessed in mobile crushing plants moved around the country for various assignments.

In some cases, both the owner of the crushing plant and his client report to the ISAG. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency is aware of this possible source of double counting, and great efforts are made in co-operation with enterprises reporting to subject data to quality assurance in order to avoid double counting.

Figure 9 Look here!

Waste from households covers primarily the waste types domestic waste, bulky waste, and garden waste, which again can be divided into waste fractions such as paper and cardboard, bottles and glass, and food waste/other organic waste. See also Table 14 where fractions are stated, in so far as it has been possible to register them separately.

Table 14 shows that total waste generation in households in 1998 amounted to around 2,796,000 tonnes, which is a minor increase of some 20,000 tonnes compared to 1997. This increase is exclusively due to an increase in domestic waste amounts. Actually, bulky waste and garden waste amounts show a decrease.

Amounts of the fractions "various burnable" and "various non-burnable" from households decreased for the fourth consecutive year. At the same time, amounts of separately collected fractions like "paper and cardboard", "bottles and glass", "food waste/other organic", "oil and chemical waste" and "ferrous metals" have increased.

This may indicate that waste from households is separated to a still higher extent, ensuring that a larger proportion of household waste may be recycled instead of going to incineration or landfill.

Source: ISAG reports 1996, 1997 and 1998. (1) Ferrous metals were included in the figure "Other" in 1996.

The decrease in burnable and non-burnable household waste amounts cannot outweigh the increase that has taken place in amounts of separately collected fractions – there has been an actual increase in the generation of these fractions.

Amounts of branches, leaves, grass etc. from households decreased for the first time in the years when Danish waste statistics have been based on the ISAG.

This may be attributed to the increasing number of home composting schemes launched in municipalities. Under these schemes, waste is no longer treated at a waste treatment facility and thereby not registered in the ISAG.

Developments and treatment of different waste types are detailed below.

6.3.1 Domestic waste

Domestic waste from households covers waste that results from normal consumption in private households, i.e. paper, bottles and glass, organic food waste, and residual waste, collected at the household at regular intervals, normally weekly or every second week.

As Table 1 shows, domestic waste amounts from households increased from 1,620,800 tonnes in 1997 to 1,702,400 tonnes in 1998, corresponding to an increase of 5 per cent.

Also recycling of domestic waste increased in 1998: 17 per cent was recycled against 15 per cent in 1997. Domestic waste led to incineration decreased from 1997 to 1998: 78 per cent against 80 per cent, cf. Figure 10. By contrast, amounts of landfilled domestic waste increased slightly and accounted for 6 per cent in 1998 against 5 per cent in 1997.

This trend is in conflict with the general ban on landfilling of waste suitable for incineration, including domestic waste. It seems that temporary storage of a small amount of domestic waste takes place, which is in contradiction to current regulation.

Figure 10 Look here!

The proportion of domestic waste led to incineration decreased in 1998, but still too large amounts of domestic waste are incinerated or landfilled. And as it is seen in Figure 10, there is still some way to go before the target for year 2004 of a rate of recycling of 30 per cent has been met.

To meet the target for recycling in year 2004 a number of initiatives will be launched in the coming years. For example, separate collection for recycling of glass, paper, and cardboard and plastic packaging will be extended.

Furthermore, initiatives will be launched with a view to recycling of a larger proportion of organic domestic waste. Today, only around 4 per cent is recovered in biogas plants. The target is a recycling rate of 7 per cent of organic domestic waste in year 2004.

6.3.2 Bulky waste

In 1998, 572,400 tonnes of bulky waste were generated in Danish households, which is 3 per cent less than in 1997, cf. Table 1.

Amounts of bulky waste doubled from 1985 to 1996. This is due to a real increase in bulky waste amounts, but for a major part also to the introduction of collection schemes and bring schemes at recycling centres. However, bulky waste amounts decreased both in 1997 and 1998. From 1996 to 1998 there has been a decrease of 10 per cent.

It can be seen from Figure 11 that the distribution of bulky waste among the three treatment options of recycling, incineration and landfilling has been relatively stable since 1995.

Figure 11  Look here!

Therefore, efforts are called for in the coming years if the target for year 2004 of at least 25 per cent recycling and a maximum of 37.5 per cent incineration and landfilling shall be met.

This may be achieved, for example, by separate collection of more bulky waste fractions such as cardboard, waste electric and electronic equipment, impregnated wood and PVC-containing waste.

6.3.3 Garden waste

Garden waste collected from Danish households in 1998 amounted to 438,300 tonnes, which is slightly less than in 1997, cf. Table 1.

Treatment of garden waste is shown in Figure 12. It is seen that 94 per cent of garden waste was recycled in 1998, which is 3 percentage points less than in 1997 and also less than the target for year 2004. The proportion of garden waste incinerated is unchanged compared to previous years and also below the target for year 2004. Incineration of garden waste is only allowed at approved plants. 5 per cent of garden waste was landfilled in 1998, which is 4 percentage points more than in 1997 and also more than the target for year 2004.

As Figure 12 shows, it is planned that all garden waste shall be either recycled or incinerated in year 2004. It is estimated to be impossible to increase recycling of garden waste further. Therefore, future efforts with respect to garden waste will concentrate on maintaining the present situation.

Figure 12 Look here!

6.3.4 Household waste per capita

Table 15 states the generation of household waste per capita and per household in 1997 and 1998. The table covers both waste type and waste fraction.

As the table shows, total waste generation in households stated per capita and per household has shown a modest increase: 2 kg and 1 kg respectively. Of this, amounts of domestic waste per capita and per household increased by 6 kg and 9 kg respectively, whereas bulky waste and garden waste amounts decreased.

The table also shows that a good half of total waste amounts from households is collected in separate collection schemes for paper/cardboard, bottles/glass, food waste/other organic, hazardous waste, bulky waste and garden waste. Of this, however, only just above one fifth of domestic waste is collected in separate collection schemes.

Source: ISAG reports 1997 and 1998. Population figures and number of households per 1^st January 1997 and 1^st January 1998 have been used.

6.4 Waste from manufacturing industries

Waste from manufacturing industries, distributed on waste fractions, is presented in Figure 13. It can be seen that ferrous metals, various burnable, various non-burnable and beet soil account for the largest waste fractions from industry.

In 1998, waste generation from manufacturing industries amounted to 2,783,000 tonnes, which is 50,000 tonnes more than in 1997.

In 1998, beet soil amounted to 288,000 tonnes, which is 75,000 tonnes more than in 1997, but 25,000 tonnes less than in 1996. Beet soil generation depends on weather conditions during harvesting of sugar beets. The sector continues to seek solutions to reduce amounts of soil sticking to beets during harvesting, but weather conditions were not as good in 1998 as in 1997.

Figure 13 Look here!

Figure 14 shows treatment of industrial waste. It is seen that 56 per cent of waste was recycled in 1998, which is 2 percentage points or 26,000 tonnes less than in 1997.

Amounts for incineration and landfilling also increased in 1998: by 36,000 tonnes and 39,000 tonnes respectively.

This means that 15 per cent of waste was incinerated and 27 per cent was landfilled in 1998. There is still some way to go before the target for treatment in year 2004 has been met.

Figure 14 Look here!

Amounts and composition of waste from manufacturing industries depend on the sector generating the waste, as well as size and number of enterprises. Possibilities of preventing or recycling waste will therefore differ from one waste fraction and sector to another.

In order to meet targets in Waste 21, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has selected a number of waste types from industry to come into focus.

One such waste type is shredder waste. New treatment technologies shall contribute to diverting shredder waste from landfilling to recycling. Another waste type in focus is hazardous waste, for which collection schemes shall be established with a view to separation and recycling.

6.5 Waste from institutions, trade and offices

Waste from institutions, trade and offices, distributed on waste fractions, is shown in Figure 15. It is seen that the major proportion of waste – 73 per cent – falls within the fractions various burnable and paper and cardboard.

Figure 15 Look here!

Waste from institutions, trade and offices amounted in 1998 to 955,000 tonnes, which is 94,000 tonnes or 11 per cent more than in 1997. Almost exclusively, this increase is attributable to the two fractions that make up the major proportion of waste from this sector: various burnable and paper and cardboard. These fractions increased by 110,000 tonnes and 25,000 tonnes respectively. By contrast, the fraction various non-burnable, which is mainly landfilled, decreased by 25,000 tonnes.

These changes in the composition of waste from institutions, trade and offices are also reflected in the distribution on treatment options, cf. Figure 16. Landfilling decreased in 1998 by 3 percentage points compared to 1997, which means that 17 per cent of waste from institutions, trade and offices was landfilled in 1998, whereas 46 per cent was incinerated against 41 per cent in 1997. The rate of recycling was lower in 1998 than in 1997, whereas absolute figures show a slight increase of 14,000 tonnes.

Figure 16 also shows that recycling in this sector is too modest and landfilling too high compared to the targets of Waste 21 of at least 50 per cent recycling and a maximum of 5 per cent landfilling in year 2004.

If targets are to be met, separation and collection of waste must be improved so that a larger proportion of recyclable material can be recycled and environmental contaminants separated and treated separately.

Figure 16 Look here!

6.6 Residues from coal-fired power plants

Amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants vary over the years due to variations in Danish power exports to Sweden and Norway. For example, generation of residues was especially high in 1996 due to large exports of power. Since then, power exports have decreased.

Under the terms of the Government’s Energy Action Plan 1996, "Energy 21", natural gas and renewable energy sources, including bio-fuel, shall substitute coal in the long-term perspective. It is reflected in energy statistics² that an increasing part of electricity generation is based on natural gas and renewable energy sources.

Also in future, Energy 21 will result in a decrease in residues from coal-based energy generation, whereas there will be an increase in fly ash and bottom ash from bio-fuels. Recycling of bioashes will be given top priority in future.

Generation of residues from power plants amounted in 1998 to 1,469,000 tonnes, which is 17 per cent less than in 1997.

As it is seen in Figure 17, by far the major proportion of residues is recycled. In 1998, 86 per cent was recycled, which is an increase of 9 percentage points compared to 1997. In absolute figures, however, recycled amounts are similar to 1997.

The decrease in total amounts of residues is reflected in less landfilling of residues, as only 14 per cent was landfilled in 1998, against 27 per cent in 1997.

Figure 17 Look here!

Table 16 states recycling options for residues from coal-fired power plants.

Source: Reports from Elsam and Elkraft.

Just above 82 per cent of recycled residues in 1998 was used as secondary raw materials in industrial manufacture of, for example, cement, concrete and plaster board. Just above 17 per cent was recycled either under the terms of Statutory Order no. 586 of December 6 1983 from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, or as backfilling with special approval under the Danish Environmental Protection Act.

In other words, these residues are either used in building and construction works as backfilling below buildings, roads and squares, backfilling in cable conduits and trenches, for noise barriers, or as backfilling in land reclamation works or harbour fillings.

6.7 Sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants

Figure 18 shows treatment of sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants. The statement only includes sludge, excluding sand and screenings. Sludge amounts are stated in wet weight, and amounted in 1998 to 1,213,000 tonnes, which is almost similar to 1997.

Figure 18 Look here!

Treatment of sludge in 1998 is distributed on 72 per cent recycling, 20 per cent incineration and 7 per cent landfilling, which is similar to 1997.

Sewage sludge is recovered as fertiliser on farmland. In future, more stringent requirements for the contents of certain organic and chemical substances will be made in relation to application to farmland.

In the short-term perspective, the rate of recycling is therefore expected to decrease. However, in future, the quality of sludge is expected to improve due to the general policy of phasing-out of xenobiotic substances.

__________________________

¹Circular No. 94 of June 21, 1995

²Energy Statistics 1998, is found on the homepage of the Danish Energy Agency www.ens.dk

| Front page | | Contents | | Previous | | Next | | Top |