Bio-based Industries Consortium says EU only using 26% of potential biowaste

In Belgium, the collection of bio-waste became mandatory in EU Member States on January 1, 2024 following the Waste Framework Directive (WFD). However, the current capture across the EU27 (plus Norway and the UK) is only 5,112,788 metric tons per year, below 26% of the theoretical potential. 

The vast majority of bio-waste (garden and food waste), which could be a valuable feedstock for the bio-based industries and biomanufacturing is currently unused, representing a missed opportunity. Valorising bio-waste can alleviate Europe’s food waste challenge and stimulate sustainable growth. This is particularly relevant as the EU prioritizes strategic autonomy, competitiveness, circularity and the green transition.

The Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC), Europe’s leading industry association putting circularity, innovation and sustainability at the heart of the European bioeconomy, has teamed up with Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) to produce a second edition of our report identifying the untapped potential to valorise bio-waste in Europe. “Bio-waste generation in the EU: Current capture levels and future potential” has been published today on the BIC website. Since the first edition four years ago which showed a capture rate of 16% of the theoretical potential, the current figure shows improvement of less than 10%.
The report, which includes country factsheets, provides examples of how the bio-based industries contribute to tackling this waste challenge, as well as citing best practices in waste management at municipal level.