Germany recorded a decrease in hazardous waste generation in 2023, according to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The total volume amounted to 22.5 million tonnes, a reduction of 2.4 percent, or 0.6 million tonnes, compared to the 23.1 million tonnes generated in 2022. This marks the lowest level of hazardous waste recorded since 2015, when 22.3 million tonnes were registered.
Hazardous waste comprises materials exhibiting specific dangerous properties capable of posing risks to human health and the environment. These substances can include flammable, carcinogenic, or irritant materials, necessitating strict tracking via accompanying documentation and specialized disposal procedures designed to ensure the safe and environmentally sound destruction of contained pollutants.
Analyzing waste types, construction and demolition debris accounted for the largest proportion, totaling 8.6 million tonnes, representing 38.4 percent of the overall hazardous waste volume. Waste from treatment facilities, including wastewater and water purification plants, constituted the second-largest share, amounting to 7.0 million tonnes, or 31.0 percent of the total. These figures differ slightly from 2022, where these categories represented 9.3 million tonnes (40.2 percent) and 6.8 million tonnes (29.3 percent) respectively.
The majority of hazardous waste was generated within two key economic sectors. 9.1 million tonnes, or 40.3 percent, originated from the “Water supply; waste management and remediation activities” sector – a decrease from 9.4 million tonnes (40.8 percent) in 2022. This sector includes disposal facilities such as landfills and plants for treating wastewater containing organic matter, the improper disposal of which could indirectly impact water resources and the environment. Furthermore, 4.9 million tonnes, or 21.5 percent, were attributed to the “Manufacturing” sector, particularly from businesses producing machinery, metal products and chemical goods – a rise from 4.7 million tonnes (20.4 percent) in 2022.
A significant portion of the hazardous waste, 16.1 million tonnes (71.6 percent), stemmed from primary producers, meaning facilities where the waste was initially generated. This represents a decrease of 0.9 million tonnes compared to 2022. The remaining 6.4 million tonnes (28.4 percent) were classified as secondary waste, originating from intermediate storage locations or waste disposal companies, showing a reduction of 0.3 million tonnes from the previous year.
