# European waste-to-energy production models

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/european-waste-to-energy-production-models
> Updated: 2026-09-10T10:00:45.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 4.

Several European nations, including Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands, have established profitable waste-to-energy models. By utilizing extensive infrastructure to incinerate non-recyclable municipal waste, these countries produce significant amounts of electricity and heat for residential and industrial use while minimizing landfill reliance.

Data from Eurostat and the European Suppliers of Waste-to-Energy Technology (ESWET) indicates that EU energy recovery units processed approximately 59.2 million tonnes of municipal waste in 2024, accounting for 26.8% of all municipal waste treated in the union. These units produced roughly 39 billion kWh of electricity and 76 billion kWh of heat.

Sweden serves as a primary example of this circular economy model. Having invested in these technologies for decades, the country ensures that less than 1% of its domestic household waste ends up in landfills. Due to high domestic capacity, Sweden imports significant quantities of waste to fuel its cogeneration plants. In 2024, Sweden received approximately 3.86 million tons of waste subject to transboundary notification, primarily from the United Kingdom, Norway, and Italy.

While Sweden manages its waste through imports, Croatia faces a growing disposal crisis as the only EU member state without a waste incineration plant. As landfill capacities reach their limits, Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar noted that while Croatian companies build waste-to-energy plants abroad, the domestic sector lacks similar infrastructure. This deficit has led to economic losses; while waste imports to Croatia fell by 37% in the first half of 2026, waste exports rose by over 32%, highlighting missed opportunities for domestic energy recovery.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Croatia faces waste disposal crisis amid lack of incineration plants

Croatia remains the only EU member without waste incineration plants, facing landfill shortages while Sweden imports waste to fuel its energy plants due to high recycling efficiency.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/croatia-faces-waste-disposal-crisis-amid-lack-of-incineration-plants

### 2026-09-02: Sweden increases waste imports from Europe for energy production

Sweden is importing nearly 4 million tons of waste annually, including significant amounts from Poland, to fuel its district heating and electricity production through incineration.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sweden-increases-waste-imports-from-europe-for-energy-production

### 2026-08-23: Sweden imports foreign waste to fuel energy production

Sweden is importing millions of tons of waste from countries like the UK, Norway, and Italy to fuel its cogeneration plants, converting refuse into electricity and heat for millions of homes.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sweden-imports-foreign-waste-to-fuel-energy-production

### 2026-08-15: European nations import waste to fuel energy production

Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands are importing municipal waste to fuel energy recovery plants, producing billions of kWh of electricity and heat while minimizing landfill use.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/european-nations-import-waste-to-fuel-energy-production

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Cite as: European waste-to-energy production models. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/european-waste-to-energy-production-models