Waste Management Plan NRW

Prognos waste experts, in cooperation with Ramboll and RSP, were commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment, Agriculture, Nature Conservation and Consumer Protection of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to update the 2008 Waste Management Plan. The focus is on disposal structures and the expected development of hazardous waste quantities in NRW up to the year 2030.  

Hazardous waste component of the waste management plan

The hazardous waste component of the waste management plan describes the current disposal situation. It contains information on the type, quantity, origin and whereabouts of the hazardous waste produced and disposed of in North Rhine-Westphalia. Based on an analysis of the development in the period from 2004 to 2017, a forecast of future quantities and disposal routes for hazardous waste in the planning period up to 2030 was compiled.

The Waste Management Plan serves as an information, planning and decision-making basis for the waste management industry, political decision-makers, licensing authorities and interested citizens.

The North Rhine-Westphalian waste management sector in figures

• About 6 million tonnes of hazardous waste are generated in production processes, in the provision of services, in wastewater and waste treatment, and in construction and demolition activities
• Around 25 % of hazardous waste in Germany is generated in the densely populated and industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
• In 2017, almost 7 million tonnes of hazardous waste were recycled or disposed of in North Rhine-Westphalian disposal facilities. Of this, 2 million tonnes came from other federal states or countries.
• North Rhine-Westphalia has a well-developed network of facilities for the processing, recovery and disposal of hazardous waste.

Disposal security for hazardous waste in NRW generally ensured

Hazardous waste is managed in North Rhine-Westphalia based on a five-stage waste hierarchy. This is intended to establish a modern circular economy – for the protection of people, the environment and the climate.  

The analysis shows that the security of disposal for hazardous waste is generally given in NRW in the planning period under consideration (2004 to 2017). Nationwide disposal structures, such as special facilities for certain hazardous wastes and geographical conditions, were also taken into account.

To the NRW waste management plan (in German, Umwelt NRW website)

Information on the NRW waste management plan (in German, Umwelt NRW website)

Authors: Dr Bärbel Birnstengel, Dr Jochen Hoffmeister, Marieke Eckhardt, Nadja Schütz (Prognos AG), Ferdinand Zotz, Maria Burgstaller (Ramboll), Axel Riemann (RSP)