Denmark without waste: Recycle more – burn less.

The present document contains Denmark's waste management policy for the period 2013–2022. It sets the overarching goal of recycling 50% of household waste by 2022. The main focus areas of the Policy are: 1. Incinerate less waste and be better at utilizing its values and resources; 2. Reduce the environmental impact of waste so that economic growth does not increase the burden on nature and the environment; 3. Quality recycling, removing hazardous substances from waste before it is recycled; 4. Ensure that waste management takes place through strengthened public-private partnerships; and 5. Closely monitor developments in the field of waste, in particular the recycling of household waste. The goal of doubling the recycling of household waste and its associated initiatives, together with the other frameworks and efforts, are expected to lead to a significant increase in the total recycling of materials in Denmark.
The Policy contemplates 6 categories of initiatives: 1. More recycling of materials from households and the service sector; 2. More recycling of materials from electronic waste and shredder waste; 3. From waste incineration to bioenergy and recycling; 4. Better utilization of important nutrients such as phosphorus; 5. Increased quality in the recycling of construction and demolition waste; 6. Green transition - new business opportunities.
These categories contemplate a series of specific initiatives, some of which are: Grants for the development and testing of better sorting and treatment plants; Partnership for plastic waste; Campaign / information efforts for citizens to promote recycling; Partnership between producers, municipalities and registered collectors for the collection of small electronic waste; Studying the potential of a voluntary scheme for the collection of mobile phones; Follow-up on life cycle and socio-economic analysis of requirements for treatment of sewage sludge and possibly livestock manure, so that the content of phosphorus is utilized; Possible establishment of "phosphorus banks" for separate disposal of ash from incineration of sewage sludge; Exploring the possibilities for improving the reuse of concrete; Strengthening efforts in green technology through the Green Technology Program; Strengthened efforts for green exports by developing and disseminating green solutions abroad; etc.