Chart of the Month Vol. 40 | "Wasting Energy: Treatment of Waste in Europe & Greece" | Powered by Deloitte

This edition of HAEE’s Chart of the Month explores how waste management is increasingly becoming an integral pillar of the energy transition, particularly through the growing role of waste-to-energy (WtE) systems. Across Europe, the treatment of residual waste has undergone a structural transformation over the past decade, with thermal treatment steadily increasing as reliance on landfills declines.

This shift reflects the adoption of a more balanced waste hierarchy, where recycling and energy recovery complement each other to reduce environmental impact and improve resource efficiency. In 2023, European waste systems demonstrate this diversification, with significantly lower landfill shares and a stronger contribution from energy recovery technologies.

Greece, however, continues to lag behind this transition. Despite some progress, approximately 80% of municipal waste is still landfilled, while only around 2% is used for energy recovery. Recycling rates remain modest, highlighting a systemic gap compared to European practices.

This imbalance signals both a challenge and an opportunity. Expanding WtE infrastructure could play a critical role in reducing landfill dependency, supporting baseload energy generation, and aligning the country with EU waste and decarbonisation targets. As the circular economy gains momentum, integrating energy recovery into waste management strategies will be essential for unlocking both environmental and economic value.

The “Chart of the Month” is a HAEE publication, powered by Deloitte.