Amount of municipal waste has started to decline

Approximately 2.6 million tons of municipal waste was generated in Finland in 2023. This figure includes comparable to household waste and similar waste from other sources, such as public administration and service sectors.

In 2023, the amount of waste per capita in Finland was about ten percent lower than the European Union average. Previously, in Finland it was higher. The volume of municipal waste increased fairly steadily until 2021, after which it began to decline.

The volume of municipal waste increased fairly steadily until 2021, after which it began to decline. Until 2021, the growth rate of municipal waste exceeded that of gross domestic product (GDP).

Energy recovery has replaced landfilling

A ban on landfilling organic waste came into effect in 2016, which has led to a near-complete cessation of municipal waste disposal in landfills. Landfilling has largely been replaced by incineration with energy recovery. While incineration produces energy, a sustainable circular economy would primarily require recycling—i.e., the recovery of waste as material. Material recovery of waste has gradually increased, but at a significantly slower pace than energy recovery.

Less than half of municipal waste is recovered as energy

The high proportion of energy recovery from waste is directly linked to the fact that nearly half of municipal waste ends up as mixed waste. In practice, all mixed waste is incinerated. A significant amount of recyclable waste is burned along with mixed waste due to lack of proper sorting. In Finland, the most common recyclable materials found in mixed waste are biowaste and plastic.

Additionally, incorrectly sorted or non-recyclable portions of separately collected waste also have to be incinerated.

Waste sorting and separate collection are increasing

Among packaging waste, paper, metal, and glass packaging are recycled most effectively. At least two-thirds of these materials are recovered for reuse. 

Mandatory collection of textile waste began in 2023. Sorting enables the production of recycled raw materials from waste, which has the potential to reduce the use of natural resources. However, this potential has not yet been realized—natural resource consumption continues to grow.

European Union obliges to increase waste recycling

In 2023, Finland's overall municipal waste recycling rate was just under 45 percent, which is below the EU average. The European Union requires its member states to increase municipal waste recycling. The recycling rate must reach 55 percent by 2025 and 65 percent by 2035. In addition, specific recycling targets have been set for different types of packaging waste.

Waste plan reduces waste generation and promotes recycling

The national waste plan for Finland, valid until 2027, outlines goals and proposed actions for key waste streams. It places stronger emphasis than before on preventing waste generation—both in households and other sectors. The aim is to decouple waste generation from GDP growth and to increase recycling. 

The range of measures includes improving sorting, providing guidance, and using economic incentives. Shared use of goods and repair services are to be developed. Information systems related to waste and recycling will be improved, and regulation will be enhanced to facilitate the use of waste as raw material.

• National waste plan (ym.fi)

Towards a circular economy and a sustainable society

Reducing the amount of waste and increasing recycling are essential steps in Finland’s transition toward a sustainable circular economy. In a circular economy, products are kept in use for as long as possible and materials are recycled. This can help sustain natural resources and reduce the negative impacts of resource extraction. The circular economy also supports broader goals such as mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity. It is one of the fundamental pillars of a sustainable society.