Which Country Is Closest to Target?
This week, the world marked for the fourth time International Zero Waste Day, celebrated on March thirtieth since 2023 by a UN General Assembly decision initiated by Turkiye.
Bulgaria is among the many EU international locations with the bottom recycling charges – lower than 20% of family waste is recycled, in contrast to an EU common of practically 48%, not too long ago famous Nikolay Nedelkov, Deputy Mayor for Ecology of Sofia Municipality, citing official information from the European Commission. At the identical time, nationwide targets purpose for over 65% of waste to be recycled by 2035, with landfilling lowered to 10%, he recalled.
Indeed, in accordance to 2023 information from Eurostat, Bulgaria recycles solely 16.7% of its waste in contrast to an general EU common of 47.9%. In Europe, absolutely the chief for that yr is Germany with 68.7%, adopted by Austria at 62.8% and Slovenia at 59.8%.
The EU generates 177.8 kg of packaging waste per individual per yr, of which 35.3 kg comes from plastic packaging, in accordance to 2023 statistics cited by Euronews.
According to the newest Eurostat information for Bulgaria in 2022, the nation recycled 58.3% of packaging waste and 39.5% of its plastic packaging waste. In the EU, the typical recycling price for packaging waste in 2022 was 65.3%, rising to 67.5% in 2023. The highest share of recycled packaging waste in Europe in 2023 was in Belgium at 79.7%, adopted by Iceland at 77.3% and the Netherlands at 75.8%.
In the EU, a complete of seven international locations have already met the 2030 goal of recycling a minimum of 70% of all packaging waste: Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Spain. Only one among these, Slovenia, is within the Balkan area.
Here is how the opposite international locations on the peninsula fare when it comes to recycling waste:
(The italicized information for every nation comes from Eurostat statistics and refers to 2023 until in any other case famous.)
Slovenia
Recycled waste: 59.8%
Recycled packaging waste: 73.6%
Recycled plastic packaging waste: 51.5%
In Slovenia, waste is sorted at dwelling into biodegradable waste, paper, plastics, glass, blended family waste, and textiles. Collection operates on a “door-to-door” system, with most municipalities offering common pick-up straight from households. Public containers and particular assortment factors are additionally out there for sure sorts of waste.
Packaging have to be separated in accordance to the Packaging Management Regulation. Producers and importers are accountable for the prices of managing the packaging they place available on the market. Environmental charges are additionally utilized to packaging, electronics, and different waste.
The nation follows the “polluter pays” precept, the place households pay a waste tax based mostly on the quantity of waste they generate. Fees rely on the dimensions of the container and the frequency of assortment. Proper separation ends in much less blended waste and decrease prices, whereas improper separation leads to larger charges. Certain sorts of waste, reminiscent of recyclables and end-of-life autos, might be disposed of freed from cost.
Violations of the separate assortment guidelines may end up in fines imposed by municipal firms and inspection authorities.
Turkiye
Recycled waste: no Eurostat information (37.5% in accordance to nationwide statistics for 2025)
Recycled packaging waste: no information
Recycled plastic packaging waste: no information
Over the previous 9 years, recycling in Turkiye has been an integral a part of the Zero Waste programme, carried out below the auspices of First Lady Emine Erdogan. The technique goals to attain 70% recycled waste by 2053. By 2025, the recycling price was 37.5%, up from 13% within the first yr of this system.
According to the newest information from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Urbanization, 90 million tonnes of waste have been recycled in Turkiye for the reason that programme started in 2017. The largest share is paper at 36.1 million tonnes, adopted by natural materials packaging at 30.6 million tonnes. Recycled plastic totals 10.2 million tonnes, glass 3.5 million tonnes, and steel packaging and cans 9.6 million tonnes.
Separate waste assortment is carried out in 217,000 buildings throughout the nation.
As of 2019, plastic luggage in Turkiye are not free. Their present worth is symbolic -TRY1 (0.02 euro cents) as of the start of this yr. According to the web publication Gıda Hattı, the typical individual in Turkiye makes use of 312 luggage per yr, whereas Europe goals to scale back this quantity to 40 per individual.
Additionally, a deposit system has been established in 53 provinces and is deliberate to cowl all 81 provinces by the top of 2026. Currently, 834 recycling machines have been put in nationwide, utilized by 117,000 registered people. Through these machines, 12.5 million packaging objects and cans of assorted supplies have been collected. Of these, 200 tonnes (64%) are plastic, 504 tonnes (31%) are glass, and 11 tonnes (5%) are steel packaging and cans. The deposit system has saved TRY 3 million (roughly EUR 58,305) thus far.
Croatia
Recycled waste: 36%
Recycled packaging waste: 51.9%
Recycled plastic packaging waste: 28.2%
Croatia enforces a Waste Management Act that requires strict separation of waste on the family stage to improve the recycling price to 65% by 2030. The legislation regulates separate assortment of plastics, paper, glass, metals, and normal family waste. Fines for violating the legislation vary from EUR 100 to EUR 250 for people and EUR 600 to EUR 1,300 for authorized entities.
Croatia additionally follows the “pay-as-you-throw” precept, the place waste charges are decided by the quantity of blended waste generated. The extra residents separate their waste appropriately, the much less they pay. Additionally, a deposit system is utilized to beverage containers reminiscent of bottles and cans; the deposit is refunded to shoppers when the container is returned to a retailer for recycling.
Citizens may also get rid of sure sorts of waste freed from cost, together with electronics, hazardous waste, and ponderous objects, at designated assortment factors.
Albania
Recycled waste: 18.8%
Recycled packaging waste: no information
Recycled plastic packaging waste: no information
In 2024, Albania produced a complete of 862.2 thousand tonnes of waste, most of which went to landfills, in accordance to information cited by the Albanian information portal Pozitivi. According to the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), the typical Albanian generates 360 kg of waste per yr, most of it natural. Despite the numerous recycling capability of the Albanian trade, solely about 18–19% of waste is definitely recycled within the nation, notes Pozitivi.
In 2022, Albania banned the usage of skinny plastic luggage and single-use plastic luggage. Today, supermarkets provide thicker, extra sturdy plastic luggage, which proceed to be extensively utilized by the inhabitants.
Last yr, Albania established its Ministry of Environment, and as of January this yr, the National Waste Treatment Operator (AKEM) has been operational below it. According to Albania’s Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj, this absolutely state-owned operator will handle waste remedy with a transparent round economic system method, making use of ideas of waste discount and recycling.
Greece
Recycled waste: 17.4%
Recycled packaging waste: 48%
Recycled plastic packaging waste: 32.7%
Recycling in Greece stays a critical problem regardless of rising public and institutional strain, stories the Greek publication Proto Thema.
According to the cited information, the nation recycles lower than 20% of its waste, whereas the bulk. about 80%, continues to be despatched to landfills. This locations Greece among the many lowest-performing EU international locations on this regard and has led to monetary sanctions and elevated oversight from European establishments. The media word that regardless of methods and funding, precise outcomes stay restricted.
Local media additionally recall that the EU goals to scale back landfilled waste to a most of 10% by 2035, a goal Greece is vulnerable to lacking.
The on-line version of Kathimerini reported in February that Greece has begun implementing a nationwide system for the return and recycling of plastic bottles and aluminum cans. The system is deliberate to cowl your entire nation inside two years and can embody 4,200 recycling machines and 9,700 assortment factors. The objective is to obtain 90% recycling of this kind of waste.
In February, the Athens native authorities introduced an growth of the community of so-called brown bins for bio-waste. A particular programme already contains over 12,000 households, aiming to flip this kind of waste into compost appropriate for fertilizing and landscaping.
According to Eurostat information, Greece performs finest in recycling digital waste, reaching 82%, which is equal to the EU common.
Cyprus
Recycled waste: 15.8%
Recycled packaging waste: 69.5% (2022)
Recycled plastic packaging waste: 39.1% (2022)
In the Republic of Cyprus, the “polluter pays” precept applies to each companies and households, carried out by way of a “Pay-As-You-Throw” system.
According to the system, households and industrial institutions, together with a typical waste assortment charge, buy pay as you go luggage or containers of various sizes, that are used for disposing of non-recyclable waste. Citizens pay based mostly on the amount of non-recyclable waste they generate, creating an incentive to separate waste into recyclable and non-recyclable streams.
Organic kitchen waste is collected individually in designated containers, for which no pay as you go bag or container charge is charged.
Recyclable waste is collected both in particular containers or in designated luggage left in entrance of residences. According to the Green Dot firm, which serves over 90% of the inhabitants in government-controlled areas, plastic, steel, and beverage carton packaging are positioned in particular luggage for curbside assortment. Paper is collected in separate luggage and picked up equally, whereas glass packaging is deposited in designated containers.
Serbia
Recycled waste: 15.2%
Recycled packaging waste: no information
Recycled plastic packaging waste: no information
Serbia generates roughly three million tonnes of family waste yearly, however solely 15.5% is recycled, in accordance to the NGO National Alliance for Local Economic Development (NALED). Around 90% of family waste nonetheless leads to landfills as an alternative of recycling facilities, and in lots of municipalities, 90–100% of waste is solely dumped.
Official statistics report 2,689 unlawful landfills in Serbia, whereas NGOs estimate over 3,500. In 2025, the Serbian authorities supplied greater than 4,200 trash bins and 1,178 containers throughout 44 municipalities and launched new fashionable rubbish vans in 17 cities, in accordance to the Ministry of Ecology.
In December 2025, Serbia handed a brand new Waste Management Act. However, for the reason that authorities annulled the earlier regulation on funding allocation for recycling incentives, a authorized vacuum arose on January 1, 2026, disrupting recycling firms that depend on state financing to function.
Officials state that the brand new legislation aligns with EU requirements, introduces larger management by way of digital monitoring of waste streams, and permits the import of non-hazardous waste for power functions, aiming to scale back dependence on fossil fuels and improve financial competitiveness. The legislation decentralizes the allowing course of for assortment, transport, storage, and remedy of non-hazardous and inert waste, giving native authorities the facility to situation permits for his or her territories.
Experts warn that below these circumstances, 120,000 tonnes of waste might enter the Serbian atmosphere in 2026, doubtlessly inflicting an ecological catastrophe.
Since January 1, 2026, recycling crops have lowered their workforce by 70%.
Romania
Recycled waste: 12.4%
Recycled packaging waste: 37.3% (2022)
Recycled plastic packaging waste: 32.4% (2022)
Romania ranks on the backside of the European Union when it comes to selective waste assortment and recycling, in accordance to a European Commission report from June 2025. Despite EU taxes and fines, the nation recycles solely about 12% of its waste, in contrast to an EU common of round 50%.
Romania generates 303 kg of family waste per individual yearly, with 74% being landfilled, far above the EU objective of a most 10% by 2035. According to the National Environmental Guard, 88% of collected waste just isn’t recycled. The legislation mandates native authorities to present separate assortment for paper, steel, plastic, and glass waste, and since final yr, textile waste as nicely. However, a number of areas nonetheless lack absolutely built-in waste administration methods, and even in Bucharest, recycling bins and containers are scarce.
At the top of 2023, Romania launched a brand new bottle return system for plastic and glass bottles. Consumers return bottles through particular machines in main retail chains and obtain a voucher (RON 0.50 or EUR 0.10 per bottle) redeemable on the checkout for reductions.
Montenegro
Recycled waste: 3.7%
Recycled packaging waste: no information
Recycled plastic packaging waste: no information
According to MONSTAT, Montenegro’s nationwide statistical workplace, the entire waste generated in 2021 was 1,477,865.8 tonnes, a 12.4% improve in contrast to the earlier yr. Industrial waste accounted for 46.2% of the entire, whereas hazardous waste made up 20.6%. Household waste totaled 325,707.5 tonnes (a 7.1% improve), equal to 526 kg per capita per yr, or about 1.4 kg per individual per day.
In 2021, 87.6% of Montenegro’s inhabitants had entry to waste assortment providers, however just one.8% of the 297,000 tonnes collected was recycled. Despite the introduction of a separate assortment system for “dry” and “wet” waste fractions, outcomes stay poor due to a scarcity of infrastructure, incentives, and efficient enforcement. Recycling may be very restricted; small quantities of collected supplies are sometimes exported, however stay unattractive for processing domestically. Pollution stays a major problem, with 13% of waste not collected in any respect, and the absence of penalties or environmental oversight exacerbates the scenario.
Kosovo
Recycled waste: 3.5%
Recycled packaging waste: no information
Recycled plastic packaging waste: no information
Recycling in Kosovo is especially dealt with by non-public firms. According to WeBalkans.eu (2021), separate assortment bins are uncommon, and waste assortment firms kind supplies reminiscent of steel, plastic, and paper on the market. Some native initiatives by NGOs exist for separating textile and plastic waste.
In September 2023, Kosovo banned the manufacturing of skinny plastic luggage (0–25 microns), whereas luggage of 25–50 microns thickness turned topic to a EUR 0.05 cost.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Recycled waste: 1%
Recycled packaging waste: no information
Recycled plastic packaging waste: no information
In 2022, the typical individual in Bosnia and Herzegovina generated 345 kg of municipal waste. Waste administration stays a significant problem: a big share leads to landfills, together with over 1,400 unlawful dumps, and 20–30% is disposed of improperly, in accordance to the Global Waste Cleaning Network (GWCN).
Separate assortment and recycling are very restricted, with roughly 95% of waste not being recovered. This leads to river and environmental air pollution and well being dangers. Initiatives like “Zero Waste Municipalities” are trying to enhance administration by way of separate assortment, training, and infrastructure funding.
North Macedonia
Recycled waste: 0.0%
Recycled packaging waste: no information
Recycled plastic packaging waste: no information
On the web site of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning of North Macedonia, the newest report on waste dates to 2023. According to this report, municipal waste era follows financial progress and can’t but be separated from it. The report states that “the amount of municipal waste generated in 2023 is almost 30% higher compared to 2008,” and solely 30% of municipalities required to submit annual waste administration stories truly accomplish that. The subject of separate assortment and recycling of waste virtually doesn’t exist within the media house in North Macedonia both.
Although greater than 25 firms within the nation are licensed to accumulate waste. together with packaging, batteries, oils, tires, automobiles, and textiles. and there are containers for separate assortment in cities, firms face difficulties due to the dearth of recycling services in North Macedonia. As a outcome, a big portion of municipal waste is shipped overseas for recycling, primarily to Turkiye.
Individual efforts by some firms to run separate assortment campaigns, in addition to the out there on-line app for waste sorting, nonetheless don’t present seen outcomes.
In observe, landfilling stays nearly the one methodology of waste assortment, and the nation has a big variety of unlawful dumps. Last summer time, a few of these dumps caught fireplace due to excessive temperatures, inflicting critical environmental issues for residents and authorities as a result of they had been tough to extinguish.
Contributors: Ayshe Sali, Ivan Lazarov, Magdalena Dimitrova, Marinela Velichkova, Martina Gancheva, Mina Dimitrova, Petar Kadrev, Simona-Alex Mihaleva, Teodora Encheva, Tsvetozar Tsakov
