European nations import waste to fuel energy production

Several advanced European economies, including Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands, have transformed waste management into a profitable energy production model. By utilizing extensive waste-to-energy infrastructure, these nations have significantly reduced landfill use and now import municipal waste from other countries to fuel their facilities.

According to data from Eurostat released by the European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology (ESWET), approximately 59.2 million tonnes of municipal waste were processed in EU energy recovery units in 2024, an increase from 56.8 million tonnes the previous year. This recovery process now accounts for 26.8% of all municipal waste treated within the European Union.

In 2024, these European energy recovery units produced roughly 39 billion kWh of electricity and 76 billion kWh of heat, meeting the energy requirements for millions of households and industrial sectors. Sweden serves as a primary example, having invested in these technologies for decades to ensure that less than 1% of its household waste ends up in landfills.