Environmental Review no. 4, 2001
Waste Statistics 1999
Contents
1. Introduction
In 1993, the ISAG (Information System for Waste and Recycling) was used for the first time. The 1999 reports are the seventh consecutive reports.
Reports to the ISAG for 1999 cover 414 plants distributed on 310 enterprises. In 1998, reports covered 420 plants distributed on 313 enterprises.
Waste Statistics 1999 follow the same layout as in previous years’ statistics. Chapter 2 describes general developments in waste generation, whereas Chapter 3 presents recycling of waste.
Chapter 4 deals with generation and treatment of hazardous waste, and in Chapter 5 developments in imports and exports are described, both for ordinary waste and waste subject to mandatory notification.
In Chapter 6, a detailed description of developments in waste amounts and treatment of waste from different sources is given. Furthermore, figures are compared to targets for treatment in year 2004 in the Danish Government’s Waste Management Plan 1998 - 2004, Waste 21.
Finally, Chapter 7 gives an outline of Danish incineration plants and landfills.
The following statements summarise briefly waste generation in 1999:
 | Total waste amounts in 1999 amounted to 12,233,000 tonnes, which is unchanged compared to total waste amounts in 1998. |
| If amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants are kept apart from statistics, there has been an increase in waste amounts of 170,000 tonnes, corresponding to around 2 per cent. |
| The rate of recycling amounted to 64 per cent, which is a minor increase of 2 percentage points compared to 1998. Recycling in 1999 complied with the overall recycling target for year 2004. |
| Waste amounts incinerated accounted for 24 per cent, which is also a minor increase of 2 percentage points compared to 1998. |
| Amounts going to landfill in 1999 amounted to 12 per cent, which is a decrease of 3 percentage points compared to 1998 and complying with overall landfill targets for year 2004. |
| Waste generation in households increased by 6 per cent, covering a minor decrease in domestic waste of 2 per cent and increases in bulky waste and garden waste amounts of 17 per cent and 6 per cent respectively. |
| Waste from industry decreased by 130,000 tonnes, corresponding to a decrease of 5 per cent. This decrease is mainly due to large decreases in the amounts of various non-burnable, beet soil and sludge. Targets for treatment are still not complied with. |
| Waste generation in the service sector is unchanged compared to 1998. |
| Amounts of construction and demolition waste remain almost unchanged compared to the previous year. |
| Amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants decreased by 12 per cent, corresponding to a decrease of 170,000 tonnes. |
2. Waste generation
2.1 Developments in waste generation 1994 - 1999
Total Danish waste generation in the period from 1994 to 1999 distributed on commercial sources is shown in Table 1.
As the table shows, waste generation peaked in 1996. Waste amounts increased by 16 per cent from 1994 to 1996. This is mainly due to especially large amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants in 1996 – which again is due to large exports of power to Sweden and Norway. After 1996, waste amounts decreased by around 5 per cent in the period from 1996 to 1999.
If the entire period from 1994 to 1999 is considered, waste amounts have increased by 10 per cent. This increase may be due to real increases, but also to the fact that not all treatment plants reported to the ISAG system in the early years – even if they should have done so. In other words, the coverage of the ISAG has increased since its beginning in 1994.
Table 1 Look here!
With the exception of amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants, which decreased by 34 per cent, waste amounts from all commercial sources have increased in the period 1994 – 99.
Amounts of waste from households increased by 15 per cent. However, amounts of domestic waste have been relatively stable throughout the period.
Waste amounts from the service sector increased by 46 per cent. The major part of this increase took place from 1994 to 1995. From 1995 to 1999 the increase has only been 15 per cent.
Waste from industry peaked in 1998 with a little less than 2.8 million tonnes, which is 21 per cent more than in 1994. In 1999, amounts decreased by 130,000 tonnes, so that over the entire period of 1994 – 99 there has been an increase of 15 per cent.
Amounts of waste from the building and construction sector – a sector that is very sensitive to economic fluctuations – increased by 22 per cent from 1994 to 1999. This overall increase covers an increase of 41 per cent from 1994 to 1997, whereas amounts since 1997 decreased by 13 per cent.
Amounts of sludge from wastewater treatment plants increased by 19 per cent since 1994. However, stated by dry matter the increase has not been significant, and the change is mainly due to new sludge management technologies.
2.2 Waste generation in 1999 and developments 1998 - 99
Total waste generation in Denmark in 1994 - 1999 and developments in waste amounts from 1998 to 1999 are presented in Table 2.
Table 2 Look here!
The table shows that total waste generation in 1999 amounted to 12,233,000 tonnes, which is identical to 1998.
Waste amounts from households increased overall by 6 per cent in 1999 compared to 1998, and accounted for 2,963,000 tonnes in 1999 against 2,796,000 tonnes in 1998. However, this overall increase covers a minor decrease of 2 per cent in domestic waste. As explained in section 2.1, amounts of domestic waste have been relatively stable from 1994 to 1999, and there have been only small fluctuations over the years.
Amounts of bulky waste and garden waste from households increased from 1998 to 1999 by 17 per cent and 6 per cent respectively. Furthermore, the group "other" increased by almost 96 per cent. However, this group only accounts for a very small part of waste from households and has therefore no significant influence on total amounts.
Generation of waste in the service sector peaked in 1998 with 955,000 tonnes and remained at this level in 1999.
Waste from industry amounted in 1999 to 2,653,000 tonnes, which is 130,000 tonnes or 5 per cent less than the previous year. This decrease is in particular due to large decreases in the amounts of non-burnable waste, beet soil and sludge.
Amounts of construction and demolition waste are almost unchanged compared to 1998. There has been an insignificant increase of 6,000 tonnes from 2,962,000 tonnes in 1998 to 2,968,000 tonnes in 1999.
Stated in wet weight, the generation of sludge at wastewater treatment plants increased by 128,000 tonnes or 10 per cent from 1997 to 1998. However, there has only been a minor increase of 2,600 tonnes stated in dry weight. Some of this increase is believed to be attributable to the national wastewater tax, as this tax has meant that many wastewater treatment plants clean wastewater more than required in the discharge licence1.
Waste generation at coal-fired power plants decreased by 12 per cent, corresponding to a decrease from 1,469,000 tonnes in 1998 to 1,299,000 tonnes in 1999.
Total waste generation in Denmark in the last four years is illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 1. Look here!
2.2.1 Without slag and fly ash
Amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants are not only related to Danish power consumption, but also to exports of power to Sweden and Norway. In addition, due to Energy 21 natural gas and renewable energy sources are used increasingly in power generation at the expense of coal.
Therefore, it may be reasonable to make a statement of developments in waste amounts WITHOUT slag and fly ash in order to obtain a more realistic picture of developments in waste generation, cf. Table 3.
Table 3 Look here!
The table shows that the implications for the developments in total waste amounts in the period 1998 to 1999 of keeping residues from coal-fired power plants apart from statistics are insignificant. In absolute figures, it gives an increase in waste amounts of 170,000 tonnes in 1999 compared to 1998 – an increase of a good 2 per cent.
The stabilisation in total waste amounts must therefore be attributed in particular to developments in waste amounts from households, the service sector, industry and the building and construction sector.
2.3 Waste treatment in 1999
Below, developments in treatment of total waste amounts are described. Furthermore, treatment is related to targets for treatment in the Danish Government’s Waste Management Plan 1998 – 2004, Waste 21.
Table 4 Look here!
It is seen from Table 4 that 7,815,000 tonnes, corresponding to 64 per cent of total waste amounts were recycled in 1999. This is an increase of 273,000 tonnes or 2 percentage points compared to the rate of recycling in 1998. Waste incinerated in 1999 amounted to 2,929,000 tonnes - 24 per cent of total amounts – which is 189,000 tonnes more than in 1998. Landfilling in 1999 accounted for 396,000 tonnes less than in 1998, corresponding to a decrease of 3 percentage points.
In recent years, the relative distribution among treatment options has varied only little. Variations are often explained by developments in amounts of the different fractions. For example, variations in amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants and construction and demolition waste have large implications for the total rate of recycling, as these two waste types generally have a rate of recycling of 90 per cent or more.
According to Waste 21, short-term targets for stabilisation of waste generation are supplemented by a number of qualitative elements such as better exploitation of resources in waste, quality in treatment of waste and mitigation of problems caused by environmental contaminants in waste.
Overall, targets for sectors and fractions mean that the rate of recycling will increase, that more waste is incinerated, and that the need for landfilling will decrease. Overall targets in Waste 21 for waste management in year 2004 are 64 per cent recycling, 24 per cent incineration and a maximum of 12 per cent landfilling.
Figure 2 Look here!
As Figure 2 shows, overall targets for waste treatment have been complied with in 1999. This is believed to be attributable to the ban on landfilling of waste suitable for incineration that came into effect on 1 January 1997. Furthermore, amounts of residues from coal-fired power plants have decreased, and they are furthermore recycled to a larger extent than in previous years where they were mainly landfilled.
Another significant factor is sludge. Sludge in long-term storage has been included in recycling. Sludge in long-term storage amounted to 396,000 tonnes in 1999. The correctness of including long-term storage in recycling may be questioned as there is no guarantee that the sludge is actually recycled as intended.
2.3.1 Waste treatment, WITHOUT slag and fly ash
Figure 3 shows the distribution of waste on the different treatment options when residues from coal-fired power plants are kept apart from statistics.
Figure 3 Look here!
When residues are kept apart it is seen that 60 per cent of the remaining waste was recycled in 1999, which is an increase of 245,000 tonnes from 1998.
The share of remaining waste incinerated increased a little from 25 per cent in 1998 to 26 per cent in 1999, whereas the share of remaining waste going to landfill decreased by 2 percentage points compared to 1998. Thus, in 1999, 198,000 tonnes less than in 1998 went to landfill.
In absolute figures this means that without slag and fly ash 10,934,000 tonnes of waste were generated in 1999. Of this, 6,528,000 tonnes were recycled, 2,929,000 tonnes were incinerated, 1,460,000 tonnes went to landfill, whereas 17,000 tonnes were subjected to special treatment.
In Figure 4 waste from the building and construction sector is also kept apart from statistics. This causes the rate of recycling to decrease whereas the rates of incineration and landfilling increase.
Residues from coal-fired power plants and construction and demolition waste are recycled to a very large extent: in 1999, 99 per cent and 90 per cent respectively. It is seen that these two fractions play a very significant role in the compliance with overall waste treatment targets in Waste 21.
Figure 4 Look here!
2.4 Treatment by sources and waste types
Figure 5 shows total waste generation in 1999 distributed on sources and treatment options. Figure 6 shows waste generation distributed on waste types and treatment options. Tables with detailed figures are given in Appendix 1.
Figure 5 Look here!
Figure 5 shows that especially waste from the building and construction sector, coal-fired power plants and wastewater treatment plants reach a very high rate of recycling.
Waste 21 targets for recycling have been reached for waste from these three sectors.
Waste from industry also has a relatively high rate of recycling: 58 per cent. But still, the Waste 21 target of 65 per cent is far from being complied with. This is due to the fact that too much waste from industry still goes to landfill. In 1999, 22 per cent of waste was landfilled, which is 5 percentage points less than in 1998, but still some way from the target of a maximum of 15 per cent landfilling.
Correspondingly, recycling of waste from the service sector2 is not sufficient in relation to the Waste 21 targets. In 1999 only 37 per cent of this waste was recycled; the target for year 2004 is 50 per cent. By contrast, the target of 45 per cent incineration was reached in 1999. The target for landfilling of waste from this sector in 2004 is 5 per cent.
As 17 per cent of waste from this sector goes to landfill it is necessary to divert more waste from landfilling to recycling if the targets are to be complied with.
Figure 6 Look here!
Treatment of domestic waste does not comply with targets in Waste 21. Only 15 per cent of this waste was recycled in 1999.
The target is to reach a rate of recycling of 30 per cent in 2004. 78 per cent of domestic waste was incinerated in 1999, whereas 7 per cent went to landfill3. The targets are 70 per cent and 0 per cent respectively.
1 Sewage sludge from municipal and private wastewater treatment plants in 1998. Review from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, May 2000.
2 Waste from institutions/trade and offices.
3 There is a general ban on landfilling of domestic waste. However, it is allowed to landfill domestic waste on islands that do not have land connections to the mainland.
3. Recycling
| 3.1 | Recycling distributed on fractions |
| 3.2 | Paper and cardboard |
| 3.3 | Plastic |
| 3.4 | Bottles and glass |
| 3.5 | ferrous metals |
| 3.6 | organic waste for composting, wood chipping and biogasification |
| 3.7 | tyres |
3.1 Recycling distributed on fractions
Table 5 shows waste fractions that are recycled, either by reprocessing, composting or biogasification. The table is not an outline of total amounts of these fractions.
Table 5 Look here!
As the table shows, total amounts of waste for recycling increased by 274,000 tonnes from 1998 to 1999. There is, however, no clear trend for the different fractions.
For example, recycling of paper and cardboard was 30,000 tonnes less in 1999 than in 1998, whereas recycling of plastic and bottles/glass increased by 5,000 tonnes and 18,000 tonnes respectively. It is also interesting to note that recycling of residues from coal-fired power plants in absolute figures increased by 10,000 tonnes despite the fact that total amounts of this fraction were 170,000 tonnes less in 1999 than in 1998.
Another fraction showing significant changes is "sludge from other sources", which is mainly sludge generated in industrial manufacture. Total recycling of this fraction in 1999 amounted to 72,000 tonnes, which is 69,000 tonnes less than in 1998.
3.2 Paper and cardboard
Total collected waste paper in 1999 amounted to 593,000 tonnes, which is a decrease of 30,000 tonnes or 5 per cent compared to 1998. However, some of this decrease may be explained by a few cases of double or incorrect registrations in the ISAG in 1998. This has meant that total registered amounts of paper and cardboard in 19984 were around 20,000 tonnes more than it should have been.
Table 6 shows the distribution of collected paper on sources. Not surprisingly, the largest amounts of waste paper are collected from households, the service sector5 and industry.
Collected waste paper from the service sector increased by 9 per cent from 1998 to 1999, whereas there was a decrease of 14 per cent and 9 per cent respectively in the collected amounts from households and industry.
Table 6 Look here!
The consumption of new paper in the period 1995 to 1998 is stated in Table 7. Remark that the statement of consumption of virgin paper in 1999 is not available as yet6.
Table 7.
Consumption and recycling of paper and cardboard in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. In
‘000 tonnes.
|
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
Consumption of virgin paper1 |
1208 |
1181 |
1347 |
1304 |
Waste paper collected2 |
557 |
548 |
583 |
623 |
Waste paper collected as a percentage of virgin paper |
46 |
46 |
43 |
48 |
Danish waste paper sent to Danish paper mills2 |
332 |
318 |
335 |
334 |
Net exports of waste paper3 |
150 |
220 |
204 |
242 |
Sources: (1) Material stream analysis of waste paper from the Danish Waste Management Information Centre and Statistics Denmark. (2) ISAG reports for 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998. (3) Statistics Denmark. The discrepancy between waste paper collected, and Danish waste paper sent to Danish paper mills + net exports, may be due to stock enlargement, and it may be a consequence of applying different statistical sources and statement methods.
From 1997 to 1998 there was a decrease in the consumption of virgin paper. At the same time there was an increase in the amount of collected waste paper, leading to a collection rate of waste paper of 48 per cent in 1998.
The consumption of virgin paper per capita decreased a little in 1998 compared to 1997: 250 kg in 1998 against 259 kg in 1997. Furthermore, 120 kg paper and cardboard per capita were collected in 1998 against 112 kg in 1997.
Net exports of waste paper in 1998 amounted to 242,000 tonnes, which covers imports of a good 98,000 tonnes and exports of just above 339,000 tonnes.
3.3 Plastic
Plastic recycling in Denmark amounted in 1999 to 38,000 tonnes, corresponding to an increase of 5,000 tonnes from 1998.
The waste fraction plastic covers both production waste and waste plastic packaging. Every year, detailed statistics are prepared for waste plastic packaging.
The 19987waste plastic packaging statistics prepared by the Danish Waste Management Information Centre show that in 1998 22,500 tonnes of waste plastic packaging were reprocessed in Denmark. The major part of waste – 13,700 tonnes – were imported.
11,500 tonnes of waste plastic packaging were collected in Denmark. Of this, 2,600 tonnes were exported for recycling abroad.
Total collected amounts correspond to around 7 per cent of the total Danish consumption of plastic packaging. Waste plastic of the type polyethylene (PE) accounted for 80 per cent of collected amounts.
3.4 Bottles and glass
According to ISAG reports, recycling of bottles and glass from primary sources amounted to 122,000 tonnes in 1999. This is an increase of 18,000 tonnes compared to 1998.
By only including waste from primary sources, however, a complete picture of total material streams is not obtained. Of special importance is recycling of glass during which several collection and treatment steps have been passed.
As a consequence, the following description of total recycling of glass is based on Waste statistics for glass, bottles and cullets 1998 made by the Danish Waste Management Information Centre8.
Source: Glass, bottles and cullets 1998, Waste statistics. Danish Waste Management Information Centre.
The consumption of glass packaging has been on the increase throughout the 1990s, but has remained relatively stable in the period from 1995 to 1998.
Also collection and recycling of glass packaging have been increasing throughout the 1990s. Collected glass amounted in 1998 to 126,000 tonnes, which is 11,000 tonnes more than in 1997. In 1998, 118,000 tonnes were recycled, which is 10,000 tonnes more than in 1997.
This means that the collection in per cent of total consumption in 1998 reached 68 per cent – an increase of 7 percentage points compared to 1997. The rate of recycling of total consumption in 1998 reached 64 per cent, which is also an increase of 7 percentage points compared to 1997.
Bottles for beer and soft drinks manufactured for reuse are not included in this statement. Refillable glass bottles, on average, make 30 trips. If these bottles were manufactured as single-use bottles, it would give an increase in waste glass of around 310,000 tonnes.
3.5 Ferrous metals
Table 8 shows amounts of collected ferrous scrap, distributed on consignees. It is seen that in 1999, 965,000 tonnes of ferrous scrap were recycled, and this is 6,000 tonnes less than in 1998.
Table 8.
Recycling of ferrous scrap in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. In '000 tonnes
|
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
I. Danish ferrous scrap sent to foundries and the Danish Steel Works (2) |
356 |
406 |
462 |
417 |
II. Ferrous scrap exported by scrap dealers (2) |
612 |
684 |
535 |
570 |
III. Ferrous scrap imported by scrap dealers (2) |
35 |
78 |
26 |
22 |
Total recycling of Danish ferrous scrap I + II - III |
933 |
1012 |
971 |
965 |
Ferrous scrap imported by foundries and the Danish Steel Works (1) |
263 |
210 |
216 |
230 |
Sources: (1) ISAG reports, (2) Information from the Association of Danish Recycling industries and other large scrap dealers. Remark that the statement used in table 8 is slightly different from the statement in table 5. For example, the correction for ferrous scrap removed from waste incineration plants has not been made, as this table shows the total balance for ferrous metals.
Total potential of ferrous scrap is not known precisely. Recycling industries normally estimate a recycling rate in excess of 90 per cent for ferrous scrap.
According to ISAG reports, the Danish Steel Works and other Danish foundries imported 230,000 tonnes of ferrous scrap in 1999, whereas scrap dealers imported 22,000 tonnes. Total imports thereby amounted to 252,000 tonnes of ferrous scrap, which is 10,000 tonnes more than in 1998.
3.6 Organic waste for composting, wood chipping and biogasification
Amounts of organic waste reprocessed through composting, wood chipping or biogasification are stated in Table 9.
Overall, there has been an increase in amounts of organic waste reprocessed: 153,000 tonnes more in 1999 than in 1998, corresponding to an increase of 17 per cent.
This increase is especially attributable to increasing amounts of garden waste (branches, leaves, grass etc.) for composting/wood chipping as well as increasing amounts of sludge for composting: an additional 83,000 tonnes and 77,000 tonnes respectively. Other organic waste and domestic waste for biogasification also increased: 37,000 and 5,000 tonnes respectively.
Quantities of bark/wood chips and compost removed from the plants do not reflect the quantities generated. This quantity should be considered as reflecting the quantity sold or delivered free.
It is seen from the table that amounts of sold/removed bark/wood chips decreased from 15,000 tonnes in 1998 to 11,000 tonnes in 1999. In return, the amount of sold/removed compost increased from 197,000 tonnes in 1998 to 249,000 tonnes in 1999.
3.7 Tyres
In 1995, the Minister for Environment and Energy entered an agreement with a number of organisations, on a take-back scheme for used tyres from cars, vans, and motorcycles.
The purpose of the agreement is to ensure collection and recovery of used tyres in Denmark. Landfilling is avoided and resource recovery ensured, whereby material recovery is prioritised to energy recovery.
The scheme started 1 April 1995 and is financed by a fee on tyres comprised by the agreement and marketed in Denmark.
As per 1 April 2000 the scheme was extended to cover tyres for motor vehicles.
According to the agreement, the target is a take-back rate of at least 80 per cent.
Table 10 shows that the 1999 collection rate reached 87.4 per cent, which is almost identical to 1998.
Table 10.
Take-back of car, van and motorcycle tyres. Tonnes
|
2nd half 1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
Used tyres covered by the take-back scheme |
8,725 |
16,705 |
18,405 |
19,378 |
19,816 |
Collected tyres |
7,600 |
12,670 |
17,229 |
16,926 |
17,314 |
Of which for |
|
|
|
|
|
Retreading or continued use |
3,300 |
5,477 |
4,581 |
5,472 |
3,508 |
Temporary storage |
955 |
1,133 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Rubber powder production |
3,345 |
6,060 |
12,648 |
11,454 |
13,806 |
Collection, % tyres covered by the scheme |
87.1 |
75.8 |
93.8 |
87.3 |
87.4 |
Source: Statement from Danish Environmental Protection Agency for the period 1.7.95 - 31.12.95 and reports from the Danish Tyre Trade Environmental Foundation for 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. 2nd half 1995 includes 1,000 tonnes collected in the first half of 1995, thereby increasing the collection rate.
4 The Danish Environmental Protection Agency does not make corrections in the ISAG database after final quality assurance and publication of data. If subsequently errors are found in the registers a note is entered into the database and deviations are explained in next year’s statistics.
5 Institutions/trade and offices
6 The statement is expected to be available by the end of 2000.
7 The 1999 statement is expected to be available by end 2000
8 As yet, the statement for 1999 is not available.
4. Hazardous waste
Table 11 shows generation and treatment of hazardous waste in 1998 and 1999. The statement includes waste from primary and secondary sources.
Waste from secondary sources, such as waste from incineration plants, is not included in total waste generation, cf. Table 1. However, it is reasonable when assessing the total generation of hazardous waste to include waste from both primary and secondary sources.
It is not possible to make a direct comparison of the distribution of fractions on treatment options in 1998 and 1999. Waste treated at the hazardous waste treatment plant of Kommunekemi was up to 1998 registered as subjected to special treatment9. For 1999, however, waste treated at Kommunekemi has been registered as treated by tax-exempt incineration instead of special treatment. Thereby, a more real division on the treatment options of recycling, incineration, landfilling and special treatment has been made.
However, it is possible to compare developments in total amounts of primary and secondary waste. Hazardous waste from primary sources amounted in 1999 to 229,388 tonnes: 46,313 tonnes more than in 1998.
By contrast, hazardous waste from secondary sources decreased by 10,102 tonnes from 1998 to 1999 when it amounted to 89,349 tonnes.
This means that total amounts of hazardous waste in 1999 reached 318,737 tonnes, which is 36,211 tonnes or approximately 13 per cent more than in 1998.
Table 11 Look here!
_________________________
9 Special treatment in this context means that waste was incinerated before going to landfill.5. Imports and exports of waste
| 5.1 | imports |
| 5.2 | exports |
| 5.3 | imports and exports of waste subject to mandatory notification |
| 5.4 | OECD- codes |
5.1 Imports
Table 12 shows amounts of waste imported in 1998 and 1999 distributed on waste fractions and treatment options. Amounts of waste imported in 1998 and 1999 are almost identical – there has been a minor increase of approximately 19,000 tonnes.
Amounts of waste imported in 1999 correspond to 4 per cent of total waste generation in Denmark.
Table 12 Look here!
85 per cent of imported waste is categorised as green waste for recovery according to the EU Regulation on shipments of waste, and it covers primarily glass, paper and cardboard, plastic, ferrous metals, as well as organic waste. Waste imported is destined for recycling or incineration with energy recovery.
The remaining 15 per cent of waste imported is listed on the OECD amber and red lists and is subject to mandatory notification under the EU Regulation on shipments of waste, cf. Table 13. Waste of this type is destined for disposal or recovery10.
The distribution of imported waste on green waste and red and amber waste has changed from 1998, when 92 per cent of waste was green, whereas 8 per cent was subject to mandatory notification (red or amber).
5.2 Exports
Table 13 shows amounts of waste exported from Denmark in 1998 and 1999. It is seen that amounts exported account for some 9 per cent of total waste generation in Denmark.
In 1999 1,124,297 tonnes of waste were exported which is around 78,500 tonnes or 7 per cent less than in 1998. This decrease is mainly due to a decrease in exports of "other burnable" and "ferrous metals", whereas there was an increase in exports of, for example, paper and cardboard, glass and flue gas cleaning products from waste incineration plants.
Table 13 Look here!
Around 73 per cent of waste exported from Denmark in 1999 belong to the category green waste for recovery and concern mainly the fractions "paper and cardboard" and "ferrous metals" which alone account for 70 per cent of exports.
5.3 Imports and exports of waste subject to mandatory notification
Table 14 shows countries of export and import of waste subject to mandatory notification.
The table shows that Denmark imported in 1999 around 9,700 tonnes of waste for disposal, which is 1,000 tonnes more than in 1998. Most waste originated from Ireland and Norway and consisted mainly of chemical waste and other hazardous waste.
In 1999 around 76,000 tonnes of waste were imported for recovery, mainly from Norway, Sweden and Germany. This is more than a doubling compared to 1998, when 36,000 tonnes were imported. Amounts imported from Germany are more or less identical, whereas there has been a considerable increase in amounts from Norway and Sweden. Waste in this context is especially slag from iron manufacture, chemical and oil waste.
Waste exported from Denmark for recovery in 1999 amounted to just below 96,000 tonnes, which is around 3,000 tonnes less than in 1998. Waste was primarily exported to Spain, Sweden and Germany and covered residues from ferrous metal manufacture, batteries and household waste.
In 1999 just below 57,000 tonnes of waste were exported for disposal, which is almost 20,000 tonnes more than in 1998. Waste was exported to Norway and Germany and covered residues from incineration of household waste and waste mercury.
Table 14.
Imports and exports in 1999 of waste subject to mandatory notification. Stated in
tonnes.
Country |
Disposal: |
|
Recovery: |
|
|
Exports from DK |
Imports to DK |
Exports from DK |
Imports to DK |
|
to: |
from: |
to: |
from: |
Belgium |
|
|
|
|
AC220 |
0 |
0 |
253.68 |
0 |
AA040 |
0 |
0 |
95.30 |
0 |
AA130 |
0 |
0 |
1195.50 |
0 |
Total: |
0 |
0 |
1544.48 |
0 |
Great Britain |
|
|
|
|
AC220 |
0 |
32.69 |
0 |
8.90 |
AD010 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
142.27 |
AD090 |
0 |
0 |
18.43 |
0 |
AD110 |
0 |
0 |
25.14 |
0 |
RX100 |
0 |
0 |
1969.72 |
0 |
AA060 |
0 |
0 |
1394.62 |
0 |
AA100 |
0 |
0 |
10.69 |
0 |
AA120 |
0 |
0 |
435.84 |
0 |
AA180 |
0 |
0 |
3.20 |
0 |
Total: |
0 |
32.69 |
3857.61 |
151.17 |
Finland |
|
|
|
|
AA050 |
0 |
0 |
57.3 |
0 |
AA070 |
0 |
0 |
7044.56 |
0 |
Total: |
0 |
0 |
7101.86 |
0 |
| France | ||||
| AA180 | 0 |
0 |
22.7 |
0 |
| Total: | 0 |
0 |
22.70 |
0 |
| The Netherlands | ||||
| AB010 | 0 |
0 |
0.00 |
2215.74 |
| AB040 | 0 |
0 |
369.42 |
0 |
| AD070 | 0 |
0 |
249.80 |
0 |
| AA030 | 0 |
0 |
90.86 |
0 |
| Total: | 0 |
0 |
710.08 |
2215.74 |
Continues overleaf.
Country |
Disposal: |
|
Recovery: |
|
|
Exports from DK |
Imports to DK |
Exports from DK |
Imports to DK |
|
to: |
from: |
to: |
from: |
Ireland |
|
|
|
|
AC090 |
0 |
193.03 |
0 |
0.00 |
AC210 |
0 |
4674.01 |
0 |
5323.20 |
AC220 |
0 |
411.06 |
0 |
607.61 |
AD010 |
0 |
894.47 |
0 |
141.33 |
AD020 |
0 |
17.95 |
0 |
0 |
AD060 |
0 |
25.59 |
0 |
0 |
RA010 |
0 |
1.71 |
0 |
0 |
RX100 |
0 |
12.30 |
0 |
0 |
AA060 |
0 |
0.00 |
3036.23 |
0 |
Total: |
0 |
6230.11 |
3036.23 |
6072.13 |
Iceland |
|
|
|
|
AC220 |
0 |
61.64 |
0 |
0 |
RX100 |
0 |
338.03 |
0 |
0 |
Total: |
0 |
399.67 |
0 |
0 |
Norway |
|
|
|
|
AB020 |
38498.42 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
AB040 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
35.94 |
AC030 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
200.76 |
AC080 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1733.05 |
AC210 |
0 |
18.34 |
0 |
2079.99 |
AC270 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
237.16 |
AD060 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
22645.80 |
AD070 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
110.84 |
AD090 |
0 |
845.78 |
0 |
176.18 |
AD150 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20.86 |
RA020 |
0 |
2119.54 |
0 |
38.50 |
RX100 |
0 |
41.75 |
0 |
0 |
AA020 |
0 |
0 |
1197.24 |
0 |
AA050 |
0 |
0 |
429.76 |
0 |
AA110 |
319.30 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Total: |
38817.72 |
3025.41 |
1627.00 |
27279.09 |
Poland |
|
|
|
|
AA070 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7.44 |
Total: |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7.44 |
Spain |
|
|
|
|
AA010 |
0 |
0 |
11001.80 |
0 |
Total: |
0 |
0 |
11001.80 |
0 |
Continues overleaf.
Country |
Disposal: |
|
Recovery: |
|
|
Exports from DK |
Imports to DK |
Exports from DK |
Imports to DK |
|
to: |
from: |
to: |
from: |
Sweden |
|
|
|
|
AB070 |
0 |
0 |
1209.70 |
0 |
AB110 |
0 |
0 |
4.64 |
0 |
AC030 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7311.59 |
AC150 |
0 |
11.28 |
0 |
0 |
AC170 |
0 |
0 |
693.84 |
1841 |
AD020 |
0 |
10.30 |
0 |
0 |
AD070 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1251.76 |
AD160 |
0 |
0 |
9157.64 |
0 |
RX100 |
0 |
1.76 |
5209.65 |
710.42 |
AA030 |
0 |
0 |
174.21 |
0 |
AA100 |
0 |
0 |
0.86 |
0 |
AA130 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
24.60 |
AA170 |
0 |
0 |
15310.39 |
0 |
AA180 |
0 |
0 |
35.24 |
0 |
Total: |
0 |
23.33 |
31796.17 |
11139.36 |
Germany |
|
|
|
|
AB010 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
189.84 |
AB020 |
17865.62 |
0 |
10653.32 |
0 |
AB040 |
0 |
0 |
115.12 |
0 |
AC010 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
49.88 |
AC030 |
0 |
0 |
3100.38 |
2050.19 |
AC090 |
0 |
0 |
31.86 |
0 |
AC170 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
379.60 |
AC210 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
202.36 |
AC270 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7137.93 |
AD060 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5823.10 |
AD070 |
0 |
0 |
390.50 |
42.46 |
AD090 |
0 |
0 |
19.02 |
0 |
AD110 |
0 |
0 |
2.87 |
0 |
AD120 |
0 |
0 |
0.35 |
0 |
AD160 |
0 |
0 |
3483.46 |
0 |
RX100 |
31.24 |
0 |
12728.46 |
885.09 |
AA010 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12367.47 |
AA020 |
0 |
0 |
87.83 |
0 |
AA040 |
0 |
0 |
136.04 |
0 |
AA050 |
0 |
0 |
1313.12 |
0 |
AA060 |
0 |
0 |
854.40 |
0 |
AA070 |
0 |
0 |
27.94 |
0 |
AA100 |
12.28 |
0 |
124.63 |
0 |
AA130 |
0 |
0 |
2091.36 |
0 |
AA160 |
0 |
0 |
8.70 |
0 |
AA170 |
0 |
0 |
43.69 |
0 |
Total: |
17909.14 |
0 |
35213.05 |
29127.91 |
Total for all countries: |
56726.86 |
9711.21 |
95910.98 |
75992.85 |
Sources: Danish Environmental Protection Agency, database of shipments. The registration is made on the background of completed consignment notes under EU Regulation 259/93 on shipments of waste. The consignee must send a copy of the filled-in consignment note to the competent authorities within three working days after receipt of the waste. OECD-codes are defined in Commission Decision of 21st October 1994 (no. L 288/36, Official Journal of the European Communities of 9th November 1994).
5.4 OECD codes
| AA010 | Dross, scalings and other wastes from the manufacture of iron and steel. |
| AA020 | Zinc ashes and residues.AA030 Lead ashes and residues. |
| AA040 | Copper ashes and residues. |
| AA050 | Aluminium ashes and residues. |
| AA060 | Vanadium ashes and residues |
| AA070 | Ashes and residues containing metals or metal compounds not elsewhere specified or included. |
| AA130 | Liquors from the pickling of metals. |
| AA100 | Mercury waste and residues. |
| AA120 | Galvanic sludges. |
| AA160 | Ash from incineration of printed circuit boards |
| AA162 | Photographic film ash. |
| AA170 | Lead-acid batteries, whole or crushed. |
| AA180 | Used batteries or accumulators, whole or crushed, other than lead-acid batteries and waste and scrap arising from the production of batteries and accumulators, not otherwise speci fied or included. |
| AB010 | Slag, ash and residues, not elsewhere specified or included. |
| AB020 | Residues arising from the combustion of municipal/household wastes. |
| AB030 | Waste from non-cyanide based systems which arise from surface treatment of metals. |
| AB070 | Sands used in foundry operations. |
| AB080 | Waste catalysts not on the green list. |
| AB100 | Waste alumina. |
| AB110 | Basic solutions. |
| AC030 | Waste oils unfit for their originally intended use. |
| AC040 | Leaded petrol (gasoline) sludges |
| AC070 | Brake fluids. |
| AC090 | Waste from production, formulation and use of resins, latex, plasticisers, glues and adhe sives. |
| AC170 | Treated cork and wood wastes. |
| AC210 | Non-halogenated solvents. |
| AC220 | Halogenated solvents. |
| AC260 | Liquid pig manure; faeces. |
| AC270 | Sewage sludge. |
| AD010 | Waste from the production and preparation of pharmaceutical products. |
| AD030 | Waste from the manufacture, formulation and use of wood preserving chemicals. |
| AD040 | Inorganic cyanides, excepting precious metal-bearing residues in solid form containing traces of inorganic cyanides. |
| AD060 | Waste oils/water, hydrocarbons/water mixtures, emulsions. |
| AD070 | Waste from production, formulation and use of inks, dyes, pigments, paints, lacquers, varnish. |
| AD080 | Wastes of an explosive nature, when not subject to specific other legislation |
| AD090 | Waste from production, formulation and use of reprographic and photographic chemicals and materials, not elsewhere specified or included. |
| AD140 | Wastes from industrial pollution control devices for cleaning of industrial offgases, not elsewhere specified or included. |
| RA010 | Waste, substances and articles containing consisting of or contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and/or polychlorinated terphenyl (PCT) and/or polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), including any other polybrominated analogues of these compounds at a concentration level of 50 mg/kg or more. |
| RC030 | Leaded anti-knock compounds sludges |
| RX100 | Other wastes not specified with an OECD-code |
10 Disposal means either landfilling or incineration without energy recovery. Recovery is either recycling or incineration with energy recovery.
6. Waste fractions and status compared to targets for year 2004
6.1 Residues from waste incineration plants
Figure 8 shows amounts of residues (slag, fly ash, and flue gas cleaning products) from waste incineration in 1994 to 1999, stated in tonnes, as well as treatment option.
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. However, residues constitute a significant waste fraction that should be used or disposed of one way or the other.
Fiigure 8 Look here!
By far the largest proportion of residues is recycled, though with a decrease of 3 percentage points in 1999 from the 1998 rate of recycling.
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.
Table 15 presents the use of residues from waste incineration.
Table 15 Look here!
Amounts of residues from waste incineration naturally depend on amounts of waste incinerated. Slag and flue gas cleaning products account for around 20 per cent and 3 per cent respectively of waste feed.
The table shows that residues from waste incineration in 1999 amounted to 592,159 tonnes, which is some 41,000 tonnes more than the previous year.
Of the amount removed of 592,159 tonnes, 191,704 tonnes were landfilled and 427,177 tonnes were recycled. This means that amounts of fly ash and flue gas cleaning products in storage have been reduced by almost 27,000 tonnes.
6.2 Waste from building and construction activities
In 1999, waste from the building and construction sector amounted to 2,968,000 tonnes, an insignificant increase from 1998 of 5,000 tonnes.
By far the largest proportion of construction and demolition waste is recycled: 90 per cent was recycled in 1999, 2 per cent was incinerated and 8 per cent landfilled cf. Figure 9. The figure shows that recycling of construction and demolition waste increased by 6 percentage points in the period 1994 to 1999. Correspondingly, the landfilled proportion of construction and demolition waste decreased by 7 percentage points.
The figure also shows that the distribution among the different treatment options in 1999 was in total compliance with the 2004 targets for treatment.
The high rate of recycling for construction and demolition waste is partly due to the fact that recycled waste is exempt from the waste tax, contrary to waste landfilled or incinerated. Furthermore, a circular11 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 9 Look here!
There is still scope for improving waste management. In future, special efforts shall be made to separate and treat the types of construction and demolition waste that are most harmful to the environment, such as PVC and impregnated wood.
Finally, "cradle-to-grave" assessments and environmentally correct design shall be used more extensively in connection with new building projects.
Figure 10 shows the distribution of construction and demolition waste among the different fractions in 1999. It is seen that the major part of construction and demolition waste consists of concrete followed by asphalt, other C&D waste and soil and stone.
Source: ISAG reports 1999. Legend: clock-wise from top.
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.
6.3 Waste from households
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 16 where fractions are stated, in so far as it has been possible to register them separately.
Amounts of, for example, paper and cardboard do not reflect the potential in household waste, but alone the amount separated for recycling. Other paper is covered by the fraction "various burnable".
Total waste generation in households in 1999 amounted to 2,963,000 tonnes, which is an increase of 167,000 tonnes or 6 per cent compared to 1998. Bulky waste and garden waste amounts increased by 17 per cent and 6 per cent respectively, whereas amounts of domestic waste decreased by 2 per cent.
Table 16.
Waste generation in households
By fraction and stated in tonnes |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
% change 1998-99 |
Various burnable |
1,800,752 |
1,784,342 |
1,775,930 |
-0.5 |
Various non-burnable |
164,356 |
155,590 |
146,707 |
-6 |
Paper and cardboard |
160,469 |
183,116 |
208,486 |
14 |
Bottles and glass |
64,903 |
67,771 |
83,033 |
23 |
Food waste/other organic |
45,905 |
47,085 |
51,926 |
10 |
Branches, leaves, grass cuttings etc. |
386,874 |
426,309 |
408,877 |
-4 |
Hazardous waste |
16,214 |
12,668 |
14,395 |
14 |
Ferrous metals (1) |
- |
12,610 |
11,926 |
5 |
Other |
127,479 |
86,571 |
94,569 |
9 |
Total |
2,766,952 |
2,776,061 |
2,795,848 |
-0.7 |
Source: ISAG reports 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. (1) Ferrous metals were included in the figure for "other" in 1996.
Amounts of hazardous waste from households increased by 33 per cent from around 14,400 tonnes in 1998 to around 19,000 tonnes in 1999. Correspondingly, the amount of "various burnable" increased in 1999 after a constant decrease since 1996. From 1998 to 1999 the increase reached 9 per cent.
Also amounts of separately collected bottles and glass increased from 1998 to 1999: by 6 per cent. By contrast, amounts of collected paper and cardboard decreased by 14 per cent.
Developments and treatment of the 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 mentioned above, amounts of domestic waste decreased from 1,702,000 tonnes in 1998 to 1,665,000 tonnes in 1999, corresponding to a decrease of 2 per cent. Since 1994 amounts of domestic waste have varied from one year to the next without showing any clear trend – in the entire period the amounts have remained more or less stable, cf. Table 1.
In 1999, 15 per cent of domestic waste was recycled, corresponding to 2 percentage points less than in 1998. 78 per cent – the same as in 1998 – was incinerated, and 7 per cent was landfilled in 1999, cf. Figure 11.
The figure also shows that the proportion of domestic waste for recycling has remained more or less stable in the period 1994 to 1999. The change among treatment options has been in the form of diversion from landfill to incineration, even if there has only been a modest increase in the proportion for incineration: 4 percentage points over the period 1994 - 1999.
Too much domestic waste goes to incineration and landfill compared to the targets in Waste 21.
Figure 11 Look here!
To meet the target for recycling in year 2004 of 30 per cent 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 1999 Danish householders generated 672,000 tonnes of bulky waste. This is 100,000 tonnes more than the previous year and corresponds to an increase in bulky waste amounts of 17 per cent.
In the period 1994 – 99 bulky waste amounts have increased by 11 per cent overall, with a minor decrease in amounts in 1997 and 1998. 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.
Since 1994, the distribution among the three treatment options has been more or less stable. However, in 1999, there has been a diversion among the treatment options, cf. Figure 12.
The proportion of bulky waste landfilled in 1999 only accounted for 36 per cent, which is a decrease of 5 percentage points from 1998, ensuring compliance with targets in Waste 21 of a maximum of 37.5 per cent landfilling in year 2004.
Unfortunately this does not mean that targets for other treatment options are complied with: the proportion going to incineration increased from 42 per cent in 1998 to 48 per cent in 1999, whereas the proportion recycled decreased from 17 per cent in 1998 to 16 per cent in 1999.
Figure 12 Look here!
If this result is compared with developments in the different waste fractions from households it may indicate that bulky waste developments are responsible for the significant increase in the fraction "various burnable", cf. Table 15.
To comply with treatment targets in year 2004, many efforts are called for in relation to separate collection of more bulky waste fractions. A number of initiatives for, for example, cardboard, electrical and electronic products, impregnated wood, and PVC-containing waste have already been launched or are in the planning phase.
6.3.3 Garden waste
Garden waste collected from households in 1999 amounted to 464,000 tonnes, which is 26,000 tonnes more than in 1998. Garden waste amounts have been on a steady increase throughout the 1990s. Since 1994 the increase in garden waste amounts has reached 62 per cent.
This increase should not be seen as an expression of a real increase in garden waste amounts. It is rather the result of increasing opportunities – and obligations – for disposing of garden waste at municipal treatment plants at the expense of home-burning or home-composting of waste.
Garden waste treatment is presented in Figure 13. 98 per cent of garden waste was recycled in 1999, whereas 1 per cent was incinerated and 1 per cent led to landfill.
This means that recycling increased by 4 percentage points from 1998, whereas incineration and landfilling decreased by 1 and 4 percentage points respectively.
Figure 13 Look here!
Thereby, targets for recycling and incineration of garden waste from households have been met with a good margin. 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.
6.3.4 Household waste per capita
Table 17 states the generation of household waste per capita and per household. The table covers both waste type and waste fraction.
Table 17 Look here!
Householders’ total waste generation per capita in 1999 was 30 kg larger than in 1998. Stated by household, householders’ waste generation increased by 61 kg. Of this, amounts of domestic waste per capita and per household decreased by 9 kg and 20 kg respectively. Amounts of garden waste increased by 4 kg and 9 kg respectively, whereas amounts of bulky waste increased by 18 kg and 39 kg respectively.
6.4 Waste from manufacturing industries
In 1999, waste generation in industry amounted to 2,653,000 tonnes, corresponding to 130,000 tonnes and 5 per cent less than in 1998.
Waste from manufacturing industries is presented in Figure 14. It can be seen that ferrous metals account for the largest waste fraction, followed by various burnable, various non-burnable, beet soil and paper and cardboard.
The distribution of waste from industry on the different waste fractions remained more or less the same in 1999 as in 1998. However, sludge from industrial production only accounts for 3 per cent of waste from industry in 1999, against a share of 6 per cent i 1998.
This is partly due to the fact that registrations have been changed from 1998 to 1999. Some waste products from food production were registered in 1998 as sludge instead of "food waste/other organic" as it should have been. This has been changed in 1999.
Source: ISAG reports 1999. Legend: clock-wise from top.
However, this change in registrations cannot explain all of the decrease in industrial sludge amounts: 44 per cent from around 154,000 tonnes in 1998 to around 86,400 tonnes in 1999.
From 1998 to 1999 an increase has been registered in the fractions plastic, food waste and hazardous waste of 11 per cent, 24 per cent and 10 per cent respectively which in absolute figures correspond to 3,000 tonnes, 26,600 tonnes and 8,800 tonnes. Amounts of ferrous metals remain more or less unchanged, whereas there has been a decrease in other fractions.
Amounts of beet soil decreased by 20 per cent from 288,000 tonnes in 1998 to 231,000 tonnes in 1999. Beet soil generation depends on weather conditions during harvesting of sugar beets, and weather conditions were better in 1999 than in 1998.
Other remarkable fractions are amounts of paper and cardboard, which decreased by 9 per cent from around 210,300 tonnes in 1998 to around 191,300 tonnes in 1999, and amounts of non-burnable waste, which decreased by 20 per cent from around 290,400 tonnes in 1998 to around 230,600 tonnes in 1999.
Treatment of waste from manufacturing industries is shown in Figure 15. 60 per cent of waste was recycled in 1999, which is 4 percentage points more than in 1998. In absolute figures, however, there has been a decrease of some 14,000 tonnes.
Since 1994, the proportion of waste from industry that has been recycled has increased by 9 percentage points, whereas the proportion going to landfill has decreased by 14 percentage points.
The proportion of waste from industry incinerated in 1999 accounted for 19 per cent, which corresponds to 3 percentage points more than in 1998. This is still within the targets for year 2004. By contrast, only 22 per cent was landfilled in 1999, which is 5 percentage points less than in 1998.
Even if recycling and landfilling rates have developed in a positive direction, there is still some way to go before targets for these two treatment options are met.
Figure 15 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.
Recently, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has implemented a number of changes to the ISAG system so that from year 2001 it will be possible to state waste from industry on eleven different sectors. All other things being equal, this will increase possibilities of conducting sector-specific analyses and initiatives.
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 in 1999 amounted to 955,000 tonnes, which is identical to 1998.
The distribution of waste from institutions, trade and offices in 1999 is presented in Figure 16 and is almost similar to 1998.
However, the proportion of various non-burnable waste has decreased by 2 percentage points from 1998, while the proportion of various burnable and paper and cardboard increased by 1 and 2 percentage points respectively.
These minor variations cover a decrease in absolute amounts of various non-burnable of 25 per cent, an increase in separately collected paper and cardboard of 9 per cent and a minor increase in amounts of various burnable of 2 per cent.
Furthermore, amounts of collected bottles and glass decreased by 12 per cent, whereas amounts of separately collected hazardous waste increased by 5 per cent.
Source: ISAG reports 1999. Legend: clock-wise from top.
Of 955,000 tonnes of waste generated by the service sector in 1999, 37 per cent was recycled, 45 per cent was incinerated and 17 per cent went to landfill, cf. Figure 17.
The distribution among treatment options has thereby changed only little from 1998, when 35 per cent was recycled, 46 per cent incinerated and 17 per cent landfilled. Compared to 1994 the largest diversions among the different treatment options have taken place among recycling and landfilling that have increased/decreased by 6 percentage points each.
Compared to targets for treatment in Waste 21 too little waste was recycled and too much landfilled in 1999 from this sector.
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 17 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. As Figure 18 shows, exports of power were especially high in 1996 which resulted in large amounts of residues: 2,332,000 tonnes.
Since then, amounts of residues have decreased by 44 per cent and amounted to 1,299,000 tonnes in 1999. The decrease from 1998 to 1999 reached 12 per cent.
This decrease is explained partly by less power exports in the years since 1996, and partly by the Government’s Energy Action Plan 1996, "Energy 21", according to which natural gas and renewable energy sources, including bio-fuel, shall substitute coal in the long-term perspective. It is reflected in energy statistics12 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.
By far the largest proportion of residues from coal-fired power plants can be recycled. In 1999 the rate of recycling of residues reached 99 per cent, which is 13 percentage points more than in 1998.
Targets for treatment of residues from coal-fired power plants have thereby been met by a good margin, cf. Figure 18.
Figure 18 Look here!
In Table 18 recovery options for residues in 1999 are presented in more detail. Almost 85 per cent of recycled residues was used as raw materials in industrial manufacture of, for example, cement, concrete and plaster board. Around 14 per cent was recycled either under the terms of Statutory Order no. 586 of 6 December 1983 from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, or as backfilling with special approval under the Danish Environmental Protection Act.
6.7 Sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants
Sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants stated in wet weight in 199913 amounted to 1,379,000 tonnes, which is 128,000 tonnes or 10 per cent more than the previous year. The statement only includes sludge, excluding sand and screenings.
Stated in dry weight there has only been a minor increase in sludge amounts from the previous year of 2,600 tonnes. Total sludge amounts in 1999 reached 153,800 tonnes dry weight.
Some of this increase is believed to be due to the national wastewater tax as this tax has meant that many wastewater treatment plants clean wastewater more than required in the discharge license.
Sludge treatment is distributed by 78 per cent for recycling, 13 per cent for incineration and 9 per cent for landfilling, cf. Figure 19.
Amounts for recycling include 396,000 tonnes of sludge wet weight, corresponding to 4,300 tonnes dry weight in long-term storage with the objective of mineralisation. It is expected that this amount will be recycled in some years, and therefore it has been included in the recycling figure.
Figure 19 Look here!
Sewage sludge is mainly 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.
It seems that alternative methods for the recovery of sludge are being developed to a still larger extent. After sludge incineration, the inorganic residue is recovered in production of, for example, sand blasting agents or cement. Sludge recovered in such alternative methods in 1999 amounted to around 40,000 tonnes14. In Figure 19 these 40,000 tonnes have been calculated as incinerated.
11 Circular No. 94 of June 21, 1995
12 Energy Statistics 1999, is found on the homepage of the Danish Energy Agency www.ens.dk
13 The 1999 statement of amounts of sludge from municipal wastewater treatment plants applied to farmland etc. and incineration of sludge at sludge incineration plants is still outstanding. Figures from 1998 have been used.
14 Cf. footnote 13 figures are from 1998.
7. Incineration plants and landfills
| 7.1 | Incineration plants |
| 7.2 | Landfills |
7.1 Incineration plants
In 1999, total waste incineration capacity was around 2,726,000 tonnes, distributed on 31 plants, cf. Table 19. This is an increase in capacity of 253,000 tonnes compared to the 1996 capacity.
In the beginning of the nineties, an extensive conversion of waste incineration plants from heating generation to combined power and heating generation took place. In this connection, capacity adjustments were effected in relation to expected waste amounts for incineration in future.
As a result of the ban on landfilling of waste suitable for incineration that took effect on 1st January 1997, there is now increasing pressure on incineration capacity. Amounts of non-recyclable waste suitable for incineration will be surveyed regularly in order to ensure necessary incineration capacity.
Table 19.
Number of incineration plants and available incineration capacity in 1989, 1993,
1994/95, 1996 and 1999
|
1989 |
1993 |
1994/95 |
1996 |
1999 |
Number of incineration plants |
38 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
31 |
Theoretic capacity, ‘000 tonnes |
2164 |
2329 |
DH: 1217 |
DH: 1060 |
DH: 992 |
Nominal capacity, tonnes/hour |
313 |
335 |
DH: 174 |
DH: 171 |
DH: 166 |
Sources: Rambøll & Hannemann 1990: Analysis of data for energy plants based on waste, for the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Danish Energy Agency. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Danish Energy Agency 1994: Waste resources for waste incineration 1993 and year 2000. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the Danish Energy Agency 1997: Waste amounts for incineration year 2000. Rambøll A/S 2000: Unpublished statement of incineration capacity. Figures for 1989 and 1995 are calculated on the basis of nominal capacity at 7,000 hours/year. Figures for 1996 are based on actual hours of operation of plants. District heating capacity (DH) may be subject to restrictions under the Act on heating supply. CPH = combined power and heating. In figures for 1999 the nominal capacity includes plants erected in 1999. This gives a larger nominal capacity as furnaces have not been fully implemented in 1999.
7.2 Landfills
Total remaining capacity at landfills in 1994 amounted to 24.7 million tonnes distributed on 64 sites. Remaining capacity at landfills for inert waste in 1994 was 6.4 million tonnes distributed on 49 sites. Remaining capacity at separately located mono-landfills amounted to 6.2 million tonnes in 1994, distributed on 63 sites.
A landfill is defined as a site receiving waste that, immediately or over time, presents a risk of pollution of groundwater, surface water and/or air. A landfill for inert waste is a site receiving waste that does not, or only to a very limited extent presents a risk of pollution of groundwater, surface water and/or air. A mono-landfill is a site receiving only one or a limited range of waste types with known composition.
As a consequence of the above-mentioned ban on landfilling of waste suitable for incineration, in combination with an increased and further differentiated waste tax, a drop in landfill capacity needs is expected. Thus, at the national level, it is not expected that there will be a need for large extensions of landfill capacity in future.
Table 20.
Number of landfills, inert waste landfills, and separately located mono-landfills,
and available landfill capacity in 1992 and 1994
|
Landfills |
Inert waste landfills |
Separately located mono-landfills |
||
|
1992 |
1994 |
1992 |
1994 |
1994 |
Number of sites |
60 |
64 |
70 |
49 |
63 |
Remaining capacity, million tonnes |
30.9 |
24.7 |
14.3 |
6.7 |
6.2 |
Annual filling rate, million tonnes |
2.1 |
1.7 |
0.9 |
0.12 |
0.8 |
Sources: Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Working report no. 54, Landfill capacity 1992, Danish Environmental Protection Agency 1997: Working report no. 33, Landfill sites in Denmark, and internal calculations.