Waste generation and treatment (env_wasgt)

National Reference Metadata in ESS Standard for Quality Reports Structure (ESQRS)

Compiling agency: National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) National Institute for Statistics (NIS)


Eurostat metadata
Reference metadata
1. Contact
2. Statistical presentation
3. Statistical processing
4. Quality management
5. Relevance
6. Accuracy and reliability
7. Timeliness and punctuality
8. Coherence and comparability
9. Accessibility and clarity
10. Cost and Burden
11. Confidentiality
12. Comment
Related Metadata
Annexes (including footnotes)
 



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1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA)

National Institute for Statistics (NIS)
1.2. Contact organisation unit

NEPA - Directorate for Waste and Chemicals
1.5. Contact mail address

NEPA

Spl. Independentei 294, Sector 6, Bucharest, Romania

NIS

Blv. Libertatii 16, Sector 5, Bucharest, Romania


2. Statistical presentation Top
2.1. Data description

The waste generated and treated in Romania is delivered in three data sets:

Data set 1: Waste generation by waste category (EWC-STAT) and economic activities (NACE), tonnes/year;

Data set 2: Waste treatment by waste category (EWC-STAT) and treatment category, tonnes/year;

Data set 3: Number and capacity of recovery and disposal facilities (per NUTS 2 region), tonnes/year and cubic metres.

 

Institutions involved and distribution of tasks

Name of institution

Description of key responsibilities

NEPA

Survey on municipal and industrial waste generation and management

Administrative data on WEEE

Compilation of reported Data sets and of the Quality Report

Validation rules

NIS

Data for agricultural and medical waste according to the description below
2.2. Classification system

 

Name of
classification(s) used

Description of the classification(s)
(in particular compatibility with WStat requirements)

Economic activities

NACE Rev. 2, Order no 337/2007 of NIS regarding update of NACE

Similar to Regulation 1893/2006

Waste types

Decision 2000/532 modified by Decision 2014/955

 

Transposition to classification of Waste Statistics Regulation according to Regulation 2150/2002, as modified and completed

Recovery and treatment operations

Law 211/2011 on waste regime, as modified and completed

Represents transposition into national legislation of Directive 2008/98 on waste
2.3. Coverage - sector

All waste types and all NACE activities + households
2.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

According to European and national legislation, manuals and guidelines on waste statistics
2.5. Statistical unit

The statistical unit used for the exhaustive survey is the company (enterprise)
2.6. Statistical population

As described at point 3.1
2.7. Reference area

National - Romania
2.8. Coverage - Time

Year 2020
2.9. Base period

NA


3. Statistical processing Top

[not requested]
3.1. Source data

Data set 1: Waste generation by waste category (EWC-STAT) and economic activities (NACE)

General description of methodology

Table 1:       Description of methods for determining waste generation

Waste category

Source

A01-03

B04-09

C10-C12

C13-C15

_...._

F41-43

G-U excl.G4677

G4677

HH

01.1

Data from NIS

- survey

Data from NEPA

survey

 

Data from NEPA and NIS

- survey

- administrative sources

Data from NEPA

survey

01.2

01.3

_…_

_…_

_…_

12.6

12.7

12.8, 13

 

Determination of waste generation by (sample) survey

Waste from agriculture and forestry - column A01-03 in Data set 1

 

Research description

1

Research purpose (waste types and economic sector covered – NACE Rev. 2)

The research ‘Agricultural waste statistics’ aims to implement the Regulation (EU) no. 849/2010 amending Regulation (EC) no. 2150/2002 on statistics of agricultural waste.

The results of research led to the estimation of generation/recovery/disposal for the following types of waste:

-           Used oils (EWC-Stat 01.3);

-           Metallic waste (EWC-Stat 06);

-           Used tyres (EWC-Stat 07.3);

-           Plastic waste (EWC-Stat 07.4);

-           Used batteries and accumulators (EWC-Stat 08.41);

-           Vegetal waste from food production (EWC-Stat 09.22).

The economic sector covered: NACE Rev.2: sector A (agriculture).

 

2

Data sources required for calculating/estimating the indicators

A – The sources of statistical data:

  • Statistical research on the generation and treatment of agricultural waste in agricultural units;
  • The Structural Survey in Agriculture, The Agricultural Census;
  • Research on the vegetal production of the main crops in 2020;
  • Research on the livestock  and animal production in 2020;
  • Balances of the main agricultural products at producers in 2020.

B – Administrative sources:

  • The main lot of tractors and machinery in agriculture at the end of 2020 (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - MARD);
  • Chemical and natural fertilizers used in agriculture at the end of 2020 (MARD).

C – Statistical estimation procedures – estimation methods of agricultural waste are a combination of different sources.

3

Description of the model/ research and the applied factors

The steps for the estimation of agricultural waste are:

  1. Estimation of agricultural waste generated/ treated/ disposed at national level based on a theoretical model, having as data sources the Structural Survey in Agriculture, The Agricultural Census and the results of the statistical research  ‘Generation and treatment of agricultural waste’ and other statistical research from agriculture;
  2. Estimation of waste generated/ treated/ disposed of by the units included in the statistical research sample ‘Generation and treatment of agricultural waste’ using the same theoretical model from step (1);
  3. Calculation of the correction coefficients between the data collected from the statistical research  ‘Generation and treatment of agricultural waste’ and the data determined from step (2);
  4. Application of correction coefficient to the estimates of waste generated/ treated/ disposed at national level from step (1).

4

Routines applied or planned to guarantee an adequate quality (periodic review of factors)

The coefficients are revised every two years on the basis of statistical research on „Generation and treatment of agricultural waste” carried out by NIS.

 

 

Industrial waste – the columns from B04-09 to F41-43 in Data set 1

The Survey was performed using the same methodology as for the reference year 2018.

The data collection regarding the industrial waste generation is done by the annual survey performed by NEPA through EIS (Electronic Information System) directly from the economical operators. The data on industrial waste generation are collected by the questionnaire GD-PRODDES.

The waste classification provided by Decision 2000/532 and Decision 2014/955 (European Waste List) is used. The information collected is processed at national level (including transposition to waste categories from Waste Statistics Regulation).

For the reference year 2020, 11878 questionnaires GD-PRODDES have been received. Answers were received from all the companies that are important in terms of hazardous and/or non-hazardous waste generation, so the survey is considered to be exhaustive. Furthermore, the quantities of waste generated by companies that do not report by GD-PRODDES are added from other questionnaires related to waste collection and treatment, because the IT tool allows the comparison between the quantities reported as generated and the quantities reported as collected / treated (including the source, hence the generating company).

Column E36-37-39 contains also information collected by NEPA from municipal wastewater treatment plants, through the annual survey, by questionnaire GD-NAMOL.

Questionnaires GD-NAMOL were sent to all municipal wastewater treatment plants that were under operation in 2020 (exhaustive survey).

Column E38 contains both primary and secondary waste from waste treatment facilities such as dismantling, sorting, MBT, incineration etc. This information is collected by NEPA from all permitted treatment facilities, through the annual survey, by questionnaire GD-TRAT.

Waste from G-U activities (excluding 4677) – in Data set 1

Data regarding waste from G-U activities are collected by the annual survey performed by NEPA and its territorial units (County Environmental Protection Agencies – EPA) through the questionnaire GD-PRODDES.

Data regarding EWC-Stat code “05 – Healthcare and biological waste” generation, filled under column G-U (excluding 4677), is provided by NIS, based on information from The National Institute for Public Health that conducts, together with the health authorities that manages the national database on medical waste, an annual survey on medical waste generation and management.

The collection of data related to medical waste is done at national level. The medical waste survey conducted for the reference year 2020 includes 796 public and private health units with beds. For the non respondent health units and the medical offices without beds (small units) the quantity of waste was estimated.

Waste from E38 and G4677 activities in Data set 1

Data regarding waste from 38 and 4677 activities are collected by the annual survey performed by NEPA through the same on-line system (EIS).

Data on waste from E38 and G4677 activities are collected by the questionnaire GD-COLECTARE/TRATARE that was sent to all companies (exhaustive survey) that were permitted to perform activities within this NACE code in 2020. The economic operators with E38 actitvities also report the data for treatment operations by GD-TRAT questionnaire.

The figures in this column contain both primary and secondary waste.

Determination of waste generation in the economy on the basis of information on waste collection

It is used only for municipal waste, as described below.

Determination of waste generation in the economy on the basis of administrative sources

Waste from G-U activities (excluding 4677) in Data set 1

  • WEEE – according to the EU Directive and to the Romanian legislation, producers and importers that put EEE on the market, as well as waste collectors, have to report the quantities of WEEE they collect from households and other sources. The data is compiled and processed at national level by NEPA. The quantity of WEEE collected from households was added in column HH, at 08 - Discarded equipment - hazardous, and the quantity from other sources was filled in column G-U excl. 4677, the same row.
  • ELVs – according to EU Directive and to the Romanian legislation, companies permitted for ELVs collection and treatment have to report specific information. The data is compiled and processed at national level by NEPA. The quantity of ELVs collected was filled in column G-U excl. 4677, EWC-Stat code 08.1.
  • The data on waste generation by the veterinary research, diagnosis and treatment and disease prevention units were provided by NIS, based on administrative data obtained from sanitary-veterinary authorities. The sanitary-veterinary laboratories subordinated to the county and Bucharest sanitary-veterinary and food safety directions report the waste they generate from their activity. The whole quantity is filled in under NACE category G-U (excluding 4677), waste codes 05 (health care and biological wastes) and 02 (chemical waste).                                                                                               

Determination of extractive waste generation

Data regarding extractive waste generation are collected similar to data regarding industrial waste generation.

All types of extractive waste are covered.

It could happen that a part of the extractive waste is reported under NACE section D, not B, because there are companies with the main activity under D section and they have also mining activities.

Determination of waste generated by households

Data regarding municipal waste generation are compiled from the following:

-           municipal waste collected (household waste and waste from public services) – information is collected by the annual survey performed by NEPA and processed at national level;

-           household waste generated and not-collected – the amount is estimated based on the number of population not served by sanitation services multiplied with the following generation ratios, established by the National Waste Management Plan: 0.61 kg/inhabitant/day for urban areas and 0.29 kg/inhabitant/day in rural areas.

Data on municipal waste collection were obtained by the annual exhaustive survey conducted by NEPA through questionnaire GD-MUN.

Data for household and similar waste are split between the columns HH and G-U, according to the quantities of household and similar waste collected from population and from companies (that are reported separately in the questionnaire).

Sanitation companies also collect and report construction and demolition waste and other inert waste that are collected from households and small businesses; these quantities are also split between the columns HH and G-U for the corresponding waste codes.

The population served by household waste collection services in 2020 represents 94 % from total. Data for household waste generated and not-collected is added in column HH, at waste category 10.1 – Household and similar wastes.

 

Data sets 2 and 3: Waste treatment

General description of methodology

For the types of waste for which information on generation is obtained from NIS, as described above, information regarding treatment has the same source, based on the same methodology.

For the types of waste for which information on generation is provided by NEPA from administrative sources, as described above, information regarding treatment has the same source, based on the same methodology.

For the other types of waste (industrial and municipal), the questionnaires used by NEPA for the survey contain also information regarding waste treatment, so the companies report both waste generation and treatment (R or D type). Data reported by companies are then compared with data reported by the treatment facilities that have also to report by specific questionnaires.

Identification of relevant treatment facilities

Relevant treatment facilities are identified by EPAs, because all these facilities are supposed to obtain the environmental permit and EPAs issue this permit.

There are two main types of activities of waste treatment:

a)     activities of recovery or disposal that are performed by facilities dedicated for this purpose – the number / capacity of these facilities is reported

b)     activities of recovery (recycling and energy recovery) that are performed in metallurgical industry, paper industry, glass industry, plastic industry, cement kilns, power plants etc. – the number of these facilities is included in the report, and also capacities for R1 facilities (cement kilns and power plants).

It is to be mentioned that the number and the capacity of facilities permitted for the treatment of waste from mining activities, agriculture, forestry and fisheries and for medical waste (both human and veterinary) is not included in Data set 3.

Data collection on treated quantities

Table 2:  Determination of treated waste quantities

Description of data sources and methods by treatment categories

Item 1  Energy recovery (R1)

Item 2 Incineration (D10)

Item 3a
Recycling

(R2 – R11)

Item 3b

Backfilling

Item 4
Landfilling

(D1, D5, D12)

Item 5
Other disposal

(D2, D3, D4, D6, D7)

Reported by companies permitted for waste coincineration, validated based on the reports from waste generation

Reported by companies permitted for waste incineration, validated based on the reports from waste generation

Reported by companies permitted for waste recycling, validated based on the reports from waste generation

Reported by companies that generates and send waste for backfilling purposes

Reported by companies permitted for waste landfilling, validated based on the reports from waste generation

Reported by companies that generates waste, then validated based on the report from the treatment facility

 

The figures in Data set 2 include also quantities of waste from agriculture, forestry and fisheries and medical waste (human and veterinary).

Data collection on capacity of treatment facilities

Waste treatment facilities have a designed capacity, that is put in their environmental permit and that is also reported through the GD-TRAT questionaire.

Figure regarding the number of “closed landfills” represent 4 industrial non-hazardous landfills and 1 municipal waste landfill that did not function in 2020 comparing with 2018.

Coverage of waste treatment facilities and criteria for exclusion

 

No. of facilities included

No. of facilities excluded

Reasons for exclusion of facilities
and other comments

Item 1  Energy recovery (R1)

240

0

Not the case

Item 2  Incineration (D10)

24

0

Not the case

Item 3a Recycling (R2-R11)

217

0

Not the case

Item 3b Backfilling

94

0

Not the case

Item 4 Landfilling
(D1, D5, D12)

97

0

Not the case

Item 5 Other disposal 
(D2, D3, D4, D6, D7)

  

Facilities for waste from mining activities, as defined by Directive 2006/21, are not included
3.2. Frequency of data collection

every year
3.3. Data collection

Data is collected from waste generators, collectors and companies that treat waste, as described at 3.1
3.4. Data validation

Companies that report data on waste generation and treatment fill in specific questionnaires within the Integrated Environmental Information System that is managed by NEPA. Validation procedures include: i) primary logical and mathematical validation rules in each questionnaire; ii) specific plausibility checks for each type of questionnaire (waste codes, quantities, R / D codes etc.); iii) comparison between years for the same respondent; iv) cross-checking between different types of questionnaires; v) specific validation rules recommended by EUROSTAT.

Differences between 2020 and 2018 in terms of waste generation and treatment (both for hazardous and non-hazardous waste) are due to changes in economic activities – some activities ceased in 2020 (this is the case also for mining activities), whilst other new activities started in 2020. There have been also cases of waste reclassification from hazardous to non-hazardous.

Differences between generated and treated quantities come mainly from changing the waste code during the treatment flow, changing the hazardous status into non-hazardous, ceasing the waste status after a treatment step.
3.5. Data compilation

As described at 3.1
3.6. Adjustment

NA


4. Quality management Top
4.1. Quality assurance

According to work procedures, validation rules, expert judgement
4.2. Quality management - assessment

According to work procedures, validation rules, expert judgement


5. Relevance Top

-
5.1. Relevance - User Needs

Basic data and information that is processed in order to prepare Data set 1 – 3 represent the official information on waste generation and management in Romania. This information is processed in different ways, keeping data confidentiality, in order to provide information to all types of users.
5.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

NA
5.3. Completeness

Data sets are complete and no “M” flags have been used
5.3.1. Data completeness - rate

NA


6. Accuracy and reliability Top
6.1. Accuracy - overall

As described at 3.1 and in the following
6.2. Sampling error

The sample survey used for Waste from agriculture and forestry is described at 3.1.

The survey performed by NEPA, for other types of waste, according to the description at 3.1, is considered exhaustive.
6.2.1. Sampling error - indicators

NA
6.3. Non-sampling error

-
6.3.1. Coverage error
  • waste generation: the method(s) applied to reach 100% coverage are described at 3.1
  • waste treatment: the survey included all treatment facilities
  • the quantities of household and similar waste are reported by sanitation companies (questionnaire GD – MUN), separately for waste collected from households and similar waste collected from institutions, commerce, companies. Household waste generated and not collected was estimated as described at 3.1
6.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate

NA
6.3.1.2. Common units - proportion

NA
6.3.2. Measurement error
  • The statistical unit used for the exhaustive survey is the company (enterprise).
  • Usually, waste is weighed, either at the generation source, or at the treatment facility. If not weighed, the quantity of waste is estimated, based on common assumptions of amount of waste per container or amount of waste per volume. This measurement error cannot be considered to be significant.
  • Information was validated by environmental protection authorities (local EPAs, NEPA) and NIS.
6.3.3. Non response error

Non-responses management has been explained at 3.1
6.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate

NA
6.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate

NA
6.3.4. Processing error

Questionnaires are filled in on-line by companies. EPAs correct and validate at local level (it is an arithmetic control and a logical control of the data, e.g. plausibility check based on amount of waste quantity / employees / NACE code / comparability with the last year). Then NEPA aggregates, process and validates data at national level, according to the Manual / Guidelines on waste statistics. The IT software from EIS has also certain primary validation rules, both arithmetic and logic.
6.3.4.1. Imputation - rate

NA
6.3.5. Model assumption error

NA
6.4. Seasonal adjustment

NA
6.5. Data revision - policy

NA
6.6. Data revision - practice

if the case
6.6.1. Data revision - average size

NA


7. Timeliness and punctuality Top

-
7.1. Timeliness

There are deadlines established for each step of data collection, processing, validation and dissemination. Deadlines for other types of reports on waste management are also taken into account.
7.1.1. Time lag - first result

about 12 months
7.1.2. Time lag - final result

about 18 months
7.2. Punctuality

Some delays have been registered
7.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication

NA


8. Coherence and comparability Top

-

-
8.1. Comparability - geographical

The same geographical areas (Romania) are used
8.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient

NA
8.2. Comparability - over time

Data compiled as described in each quality report
8.2.1. Length of comparable time series

NA
8.3. Coherence - cross domain

NA
8.4. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

NA
8.5. Coherence - National Accounts

NA
8.6. Coherence - internal

Data reported by companies within the survey described above are compared with other similar reports regarding waste generation and management.


9. Accessibility and clarity Top

Basic data and information that was processed in order to prepare Data sets 1 – 3 represent the official information on waste generation and management in Romania.

This information is processed in different ways, keeping data confidentiality, in order to provide information to all types of users.[not requested]
9.1. Dissemination format - News release

NA
9.2. Dissemination format - Publications

Publications on NEPA's website (www.anpm.ro):

- Waste statistics

- Annual Report on the State of Environment in Romania

- Information on waste generation and management
9.3. Dissemination format - online database

NA
9.3.1. Data tables - consultations

NA
9.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

NA
9.5. Dissemination format - other

at request, keeping data confidentiality
9.6. Documentation on methodology

Legislation and questionnaires available on NEPA's website
9.7. Quality management - documentation

NA
9.7.1. Metadata completeness - rate

NA
9.7.2. Metadata - consultations

NA


10. Cost and Burden Top

The type and number of respondents have been described at 3.1, for each type of questionnaire. The same for administrative sources. We try to minimise the burden on respondents, by using the single reported information for different purposes.


11. Confidentiality Top

-
11.1. Confidentiality - policy

according to European and national legislation
11.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

according to European and national legislation


12. Comment Top

-


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top