(24 September 2018) – Today the Commission has published the latest review of how European waste management and recycling rules are applied across Europe. Actions are proposed to help 14 Member States at risk of not meeting their waste recycling targets.

Despite continuous progress in Member States, the Commission identifies serious gaps that must be addressed swiftly so that Europeans are able to reap the environmental and economic benefits of the circular economy.
For municipal waste, 14 Member States have been identified as at risk of missing the 2020 target of 50% recycling (Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Spain).
That is why the Commission presents blueprints for action to ensure that those countries act to comply with EU waste legislation.
In a follow-up to this report, the Commission will undertake visits to these Member States to discuss the opportunities and challenges with the national, regional and local authorities and the relevant stakeholders.