Romania comes last in the EU on municipal waste recycling, according to a report recently published by the European Commission. Romania had a 4.5% recycling rate for municipal waste in 2012, the report ‘The European environment — state and outlook 2015’  found. While coming last in the European block, this was still an improvement for Romania, up from a mere 1% in 2004.

But the country still has a long way to go until 2020, when it should reach a 50% rate, the same as all EU countries. Other countries fare much better, and some already exceed the 50% target: Malta, the second to last in this report, has a recycling rate of 20%. Neighbors Bulgaria and Hungary had a 30% municipal recycling waste each.  Germany comes first in the EU, with a rate of 70%, followed by Austria – 60% and Belgium – 55%.

Outside the EU, Turkey, Montenegro, Serbia, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia fare even worst than Romania, according to the ranking.

Romania does not seem to keep up with the urbanization pace, as it comes last for recycling, but among the first for urbanization: it comes 8th for share of urban fabric in total land cover.

The recycling rate is calculated as the percentage of municipal waste generated that is recycled and composted. This is the fifth edition of the 'European environment – state and outlook 2015' report, published by the European Environment Agency every five years.  For the full report, go here.

editor@romania-insider.com