Waste contains valuable resources, both in terms of materials and energy. Preventing the loss of these resources, while ensuring that In accordance with European waste policy, Denmark prioritizes waste prevention, while the re-use and recycling of materials is preferred to energy recovery from waste, where and insofar as they are the best ecological options.
Through proper waste management and treatment materials and energy can be recovered, which reduces the need for new raw materials and other sources of energy such as fossil fuels. Further, with proper treatment substances that are potentially harmful to human health and the environment are collected through recycling thus minimising the risk.
Every Dane produces about eight kilograms of waste daily. This is approximately 15,5 million tonnes annually. This waste is collected and treated using environmentally and economically appropriate measures. For instance, only waste which cannot be treated in any other way is landfilled in Denmark.
The Danish EPA sets out the overall framework for waste management, while it is the municipalities who decide how to organise local waste systems close to businesses and citizens, where the waste is produced.