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Germany's Waste Output Drops to Lowest Level Since 2010

A sharp drop in construction and demolition waste drove the overall decline despite a steady 82 percent recycling rate

Overview

  • Total waste production fell by 4.8 percent to about 380 million tonnes in 2023, marking the lowest annual volume since 2010.
  • Construction and demolition debris dropped 8.1 percent to under 200 million tonnes for the first time since 2012, accounting for the largest share of the decline.
  • Industrial and commercial waste declined by 3.3 percent, and waste from mineral extraction and processing fell by 1.4 percent.
  • Municipal waste experienced a slight increase of 0.6 percent and secondary waste rose by 0.3 percent.
  • Germany processed 313.3 million tonnes of waste in 2023, maintaining an 82 percent utilization rate unchanged from 2019.