Packaging waste by waste management operations (env_waspac)

National Reference Metadata in Euro SDMX Metadata Structure (ESMS)

Compiling agency: Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Klima- und Umweltschutz, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft 


Eurostat metadata
Reference metadata
1. Contact
2. Metadata update
3. Statistical presentation
4. Unit of measure
5. Reference Period
6. Institutional Mandate
7. Confidentiality
8. Release policy
9. Frequency of dissemination
10. Accessibility and clarity
11. Quality management
12. Relevance
13. Accuracy
14. Timeliness and punctuality
15. Coherence and comparability
16. Cost and Burden
17. Data revision
18. Statistical processing
19. Comment
Related Metadata
Annexes (including footnotes)



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1. Contact Top
1.1. Contact organisation

Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Klima- und Umweltschutz, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft 
1.2. Contact organisation unit

Unit V/2
1.5. Contact mail address

1010 Wien, Stubenbastei 5

AUSTRIA


2. Metadata update Top
2.1. Metadata last certified

24 June 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted

24 June 2025
2.3. Metadata last update

24 June 2025


3. Statistical presentation Top
3.1. Data description

Reporting in accordance with the "new" calculation rules. 

The derogation to make use of average loss rates is not applicable as the legal act is not yet in force.
3.1.1. Description of the parties involved in the data collection

Table : Institutions involved in the collection of data and distribution of tasks

Name of institution Description of key responsibilities
 Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Klima- und Umweltschutz, Regionen und Wasserwirtschaft           Collection of data from all resources         
3.2. Classification system

R/D codes in Annexes I and II of Directive 2008/98/EC are solely used. R1, R3, R4, R5
3.2.1. Classification of treatment operations

R/D codes in Annexes I and II of Directive 2008/98/EC are solely used. R1, R3, R4, R5
3.3. Coverage - sector

Packaging producer, Collection and Recovery-Systems, Waste Collectors, Recyclers Treatment facilities 
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

The amount of wooden packaging that is repaired for reuse: 10758 t 

Note: Please indicate the adjusted recycling rates (not the amounts).

Austria wishes to take into account the amount of metals in incineration bottom ash (IBA) for the calculation of the targets. 
3.4.1. Types of reuse system in place for each material type

Refill beverage bottles (glass), plastic crates, wooden pallets, barrels (metall) B2B
3.4.2. Other recovery of waste

Residual waste contains packaging glass which is not seperate collected. Residual waste is treated in waste incinerating plant. Glass remains unburnt in the bed ash. Fly-ash from the incinerating plant hast to be stabilised. For stabilisation of the bed-ash cement, support grain (bulking material) and porous material is needed to  produce ash-concrete. Packaging glass contained in the bed-ash is used as a  substitute for bulking material at the production of ash-concrete. The calculated amount of packaging glass used for the mentioned purpose is reported under “Other forms of recovery“.

100 % of energy recovery is from R1 incinerators
3.4.3. Information on temporary storage of packaging waste

Packaging in general is counted as recycled when it is handed over to the recycling facility.
3.5. Statistical unit

enterprises, private household, colction and recovery systems (PROs)
3.6. Statistical population

approximatly 9 Mio natural persons
3.7. Reference area

Austria
3.8. Coverage - Time

2023
3.9. Base period

Not applicable


4. Unit of measure Top

Tonnes


5. Reference Period Top

Calendar year


6. Institutional Mandate Top
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements

AWG 2002 (waste Management Act), Verpackungsverordnung 2014 (Packaging ordinance 2014)
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing

not applicable


7. Confidentiality Top
7.1. Confidentiality - policy

Not applicable
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

Not applicable


8. Release policy Top
8.1. Release calendar

Not available
8.2. Release calendar access

Not available
8.3. Release policy - user access

Not available


9. Frequency of dissemination Top

Yearly


10. Accessibility and clarity Top
10.1. Dissemination format - News release

Not applicable
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications

Publications on waste management are available on the official website of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database

Not available
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

Not applicable
10.5. Dissemination format - other

Not applicable
10.6. Documentation on methodology

Not Yet
10.7. Quality management - documentation

Auswertung der Restmüllzusammensetzung in Österreich 2018/19 - Ergebnisbericht


11. Quality management Top
11.1. Quality assurance

Not Yet
11.2. Quality management - assessment

Not available


12. Relevance Top
12.1. Relevance - User Needs

Eurostat and other users.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

Not applicable
12.3. Completeness

the requirements are fully met


13. Accuracy Top
13.1. Accuracy - overall

Main issue is to update residual waste composition, representative waste analyses can hardly be conducted annual, the last waste analyses happened 2018/19. 

Auswertung der Restmüllzusammensetzung in Österreich 2018/19 - Ergebnisbericht

Data based on reporting obligation of enterprises via EPRs or of selffullfillers.

For reusable packaging reporting obligation for enterprises are mandatory from 2022 on
13.1.1. Statistical surveys used regarding packaging waste generation and treatment

The information in this section is to provide an overarching understanding of the accuracy of any statistical surveys used relating to packaging waste. Some of the information may be available in previous questions.

 

Component of packaging waste Year Statistical units Percentage of population surveyed Data (tonnes) Confidence level Error margin Details of adjustments from the survey year to the current year Other details
All materials  2018/2019  Municipalities or third parties acting on their behalf through waste containers or bags   100%  Not available  95%  <5%  Not available  see concepts 13.1, 18.3.4 ans 18.5.1.3
13.1.2. Statistical surveys used regarding reusable packaging

The information in this section is to provide an overarching understanding of the accuracy of any statistical surveys used relating to packaging waste. Some of the information may be available in other concepts.

 

Packaging material Year Statistical units Percentage of population surveyed Data (tonnes) Confidence level Error margin Details of adjustments from the survey year to the current year Other details
 Non applicable  Non applicable  Non applicable  Non applicable  Non applicable  Non applicable  Non applicable  Non applicable  Non applicable
13.2. Sampling error

Not available
13.3. Non-sampling error

Not applicable


14. Timeliness and punctuality Top
14.1. Timeliness

No time lag
14.2. Punctuality

delivery of the data was punctual


15. Coherence and comparability Top
15.1. Comparability - geographical

There are no problems of comparability between regions of the country.
15.2. Comparability - over time

There is no change of methods compared to 2021 and 2022.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain

No incoherences.
15.4. Coherence - internal

No incoherences.
15.4.1. Explanation for any component with a greater than 10 % variation

Explanation detailing the causes of the tonnage difference (in relation to which waste streams, sectors or estimates have caused the difference, and what the underlying cause is) for any component of packaging waste generated and recycled which shows greater than a 10 % variation from the data submitted for the previous data year.

Material Variation (%) Main reason for variation
 Glass  Not available

The data is based on the reporting obligation of companies via EPR or self-fillers. For reusable packaging, the reporting obligation is mandatory for companies from 2022.

For glass, 2022 was the first year in which the glass masses separated as waste and recycled by bottlers were taken into account. Unfortunatly some big filler reported wrong data concerning waste derived from reusable glass bottles in 2022.


16. Cost and Burden Top

Not applicable.


17. Data revision Top
17.1. Data revision - policy

Not applicable
17.2. Data revision - practice

No changes.


18. Statistical processing Top
18.1. Source data

EPR Schemes, reporting obligations for self-fullfillers, waste analysis
18.1.1. Waste samples from waste analysis

The waste samples for waste analysis are taken from:

 

Approach Details about the flows of waste covered
Directly from the bin mixed houshold and similar waste
From the waste trucks business waste 
Other approaches  Not applicable
18.1.2. Source of waste flow data for estimation
  Sources Materials covered
Waste collectors  Not applicable  Not applicable
Waste treatment operators  Not applicable  Not applicable
Municipalities  Not applicable  Not applicable
Others  Not applicable  Not applicable
18.2. Frequency of data collection

Yearly
18.3. Data collection

See the following subpoints
18.3.1. Description of the methodology and verification of data on packaging waste generated in case waste analysis is used

If packaging is collected together with non-packaging materials (e.g. print paper collected together with paper packaging) or in case of comingled collection of light weight packaging the share of packaging is determined by regularly analyses.
18.3.2. Description of the methodology to report on composite packaging

If composite elements are less than 5% they are calculated as main material. The breakdown of composite packaging in which the main material accounts for less than 95% is based on the study ‘Transfer of composite packaging to packaging waste materials’ conducted by GVM – Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung. The study examined the consumption of composite packaging in Austria and its composition by material.

 
18.3.3. Description of methods for determining packaging waste treatment
Packaging waste material Total Plastic Wood Ferrous metals Aluminium Glass Paper and Cardboard Other
Data collection methods
Administrative reporting yes   no no  no no  no  no   no
Surveys no   no no  no   no  no no  no 
Electronic registry yes   no  no  no  no  no no  no 
Waste analysis yes   no  no  no  no no   no no 
Data from waste operators  no  no  no  no  no  no  no no 
Data from municipalities  no  no  no no   no no  no   no
Data from extended producer responsibility schemes  yes no   no no   no no   no  no
Other  no  no  no no   no no   no no 

 

Additional information about the methodology, including the combination of methods used:

EPR schemes have reporting obligations as well as  self-fullfillers which have to report via electronic registry. 
18.3.4. Explanation of the scope and validity of surveys to collect data on the generation and treatment of packaging waste

waste analyses see: Auswertung der Restmüllzusammensetzung in Österreich 2018/19 - Ergebnisbericht
18.3.5. Explanation of the scope and validity of surveys to collect data on reusable packaging

Data based on reporting obligation of enterprises via EPRs or of selffullfillers. For reusable packaging reporting obligation for enterprises are mandatory from 2022 on.
18.3.6. Detailed description of the method to collect data in order to calculate the amount of metals separated from incineration bottom ash

Calculation of recycling of metals from incinerator bottom ash : Detailed description of the method to collect data in order to calculate the amount of metals separated from incineration bottom ash in accordance with the Commission Implementing Act adopted in accordance with Article 37(7) of Directive 2008/98/EC.

 

Data Description of the measurement method to obtain the data
Total amount of metal concentrate extracted from incinerator bottom ash Total amount was determined via a material balance survey done by the Technical University of Vienna (Institute for Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Technical Biosciences) 
Average level of metallic content in the total amount of metal concentrate, including the reliability of any surveys undertaken Not applicable 
Proportion of waste entering incineration plants that is packaging waste, including the reliability of any surveys undertaken  Proportion of metal packaging waste and metal nonpackaging waste is based on waste analyses described in approach 3 described in Concept 18.5.1.3. 
18.4. Data validation

See the following subpoints.
18.4.1. Detailed description of the system for quality control and traceability for packaging waste pursuant to Article 6a(3) and (8) of Directive 94/62/EC

EPR schemes have the legal obligation to report annual the name of the recycling/recovery facility and the amount of packaging waste treated there.
18.4.2. Traceability of waste treated outside the member State and ensuring its treatment in conditions broadly equivalent to the requirements of EU environmental law
Packaging waste material Subject to final treatment in the Member State (yes/no) Shipped to another EU Member State (yes/no) Exported outside the EU (yes/no) Description of specific measures for quality control and traceability of packaging waste, in particularly as regards monitoring and validation of data
Plastic  yes  yes  yes  see 18.4.1
Wood  yes  yes  no  see 18.4.1
Ferrous metals  yes  yes  yes  see 18.4.1
Aluminium  yes  yes  no  see 18.4.1
Glass  yes  yes  no  see 18.4.1
Paper and cardboard  yes  yes  yes  see 18.4.1
Others  yes  no  no  see 18.4.1
18.4.3. Description of measures to ensure broadly equivalent waste treatment

EPR schemes have the legal obligation to report annual the name of the recycling/recovery facility and the amount of packaging waste treated there. This includes the ensuring of broadly equvalent waste treatment.
18.4.4. Verification of data on packaging waste generated

The columns in the table relate to information on verification procedures used within the national statistical reporting system to validate the accuracy of the data.

 

Packaging waste material Cross-check (yes/no) Time-series check (yes/no) Audit (yes/no) Verification process
Plastic yes  yes  yes   Cross-check waste generated and developement of mass licenced Packaging by EPR-schemes; Time-series check: check the development of the last years; Audit: PROs have the legal obligation (waste management act) to establish an efficient audit system to check their participants. At least 80% of the contracted mass of every packaging material has to be audited within three years. Participants are chosen randomly and checked by external auditors
Wood  yes yes  yes   Cross-check waste generated and developement of mass licenced Packaging by EPR-schemes; Time-series check: check the development of the last years; Audit: PROs have the legal obligation (waste management act) to establish an efficient audit system to check their participants. At least 80% of the contracted mass of every packaging material has to be audited within three years. Participants are chosen randomly and checked by external auditors
Ferrous metals yes   yes yes   Cross-check waste generated and developement of mass licenced Packaging by EPR-schemes; Time-series check: check the development of the last years; Audit: PROs have the legal obligation (waste management act) to establish an efficient audit system to check their participants. At least 80% of the contracted mass of every packaging material has to be audited within three years. Participants are chosen randomly and checked by external auditors
Aluminium  yes yes  yes   Cross-check waste generated and developement of mass licenced Packaging by EPR-schemes; Time-series check: check the development of the last years; Audit: PROs have the legal obligation (waste management act) to establish an efficient audit system to check their participants. At least 80% of the contracted mass of every packaging material has to be audited within three years. Participants are chosen randomly and checked by external auditors
Glass  yes  yes  yes  Cross-check waste generated and developement of mass licenced Packaging by EPR-schemes; Time-series check: check the development of the last years; Audit: PROs have the legal obligation (waste management act) to establish an efficient audit system to check their participants. At least 80% of the contracted mass of every packaging material has to be audited within three years. Participants are chosen randomly and checked by external auditors
Paper and cardboard  yes  yes  yes  Cross-check waste generated and developement of mass licenced Packaging by EPR-schemes; Time-series check: check the development of the last years; Audit: PROs have the legal obligation (waste management act) to establish an efficient audit system to check their participants. At least 80% of the contracted mass of every packaging material has to be audited within three years. Participants are chosen randomly and checked by external auditors
Others yes  yes   yes Cross-check waste generated and developement of mass licenced Packaging by EPR-schemes; Time-series check: check the development of the last years; Audit: PROs have the legal obligation (waste management act) to establish an efficient audit system to check their participants. At least 80% of the contracted mass of every packaging material has to be audited within three years. Participants are chosen randomly and checked by external auditors
18.4.5. Verification of data on packaging waste recycling

The columns in the table relate to information on verification procedures used within the national statistical reporting system to validate the accuracy of the data.

 

Packaging waste material Cross-check (yes/no) Time-series check (yes/no) Audit (yes/no) Verification process
Plastic no   yes no Not available  
Wood no   yes no  Not available 
Ferrous metals no   yes no   Not available 
Aluminium no   yes no   Not available 
Mixed waste no  yes no   Not available 
Others no  yes  no   Not available 
18.5. Data compilation

See the following subpoints
18.5.1. Methods for determining packaging waste generation
Approach % of waste generated based on this approach
Approach 1
Put on the Market (POM) based on EPR data, complemented with estimates to ensure full coverage of the EPR data		 8%  - Approach 1 is used only for wood packaging, because for wood packging Approach 3 is not applicable. 
Approach 2
POM based on sources other than EPR (e.g. based on production and import statistics and factors to estimate the amount of packaging associated to these product flows)		 Not applicable
Approach 3
Waste analysis		 92% 
Other approaches : Not applicable
18.5.1.1. Approach 1 - Put on the Market (POM) based on EPR

Primary sources and their shares in the total.

 

Sources for calculation of PoM % of packaging total covered Threshold of this source(*)
Total Plastic Wood Ferrous metals Aluminium Glass Paper and Cardboard Other
EPR scheme data 6%   Not applicable 75%  Not applicable  Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable 
Administrative reporting different from EPR  Not applicable Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable  Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable 
Surveys Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable  Not applicable   Not applicable  Not applicable Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable 
Electronic registry:  2%  Not applicable 25%  Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable  Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable 
Other :  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable Not applicable  Not applicable   Not applicable Not applicable 

(*) Necessity of a certain minimum amount of waste, turnover etc. to be registered 
18.5.1.2. Approach 2 - Put on the market (POM) calculated from production and reign trade statistics and using coefficients of packaging for the sold goods in question

Primary sources and their shares in the total.

 

Sources for calculation of PoM % of packaging total covered Threshold of this source(*)
Total Plastic Wood Ferrous metals Aluminium Glass Paper and Cardboard Other
Production statistics  Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable 
Foreign trade statistics  Not applicable Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable 
Specific surveys :  Not applicable Not applicable 
 Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable 
Electronic registry : Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable 
Other :  Not applicable Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable 

(*) Necessity of a certain minimum amount of waste, turnover etc. to be registered
18.5.1.3. Approach 3 - Waste analysis

Packaging waste generated estimated by waste analysis

Type of waste Number of samples taken Total volume or weight of samples taken What proportion does the sample represent of the total waste generated
(in %)		 Frequency of sample
Volume in cubic metres Weight in tonnes
Mixed household and similar waste 2686  Not applicable   49 0,0034  2018/2019 
Separately collected municipal waste  Not applicable Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable 
Separately collected business waste  Not applicable  Not applicable  Not applicable Not applicable   Not applicable
Others :  Mixed business waste and bulky waste: 785  not available  2400 0,15  2022 
18.5.2. Information on estimates for packaging placed on the market

No estimates used.
18.5.3. Presence and calculation of estimates and indication of added volume in % of the total
Packaging waste material Total Plastic Wood Ferrous metals Aluminium Glass Paper and Cardboard Other
Validation
Corrections for underreporting of units covered by the above sources no no no  no  no  no  no  no 
Estimates for units below the threshold (de minimis)  no  no  no  no  no  no  no no 
Estimates for other units legally exempt from reporting no  no  no  no  no no   no no 
Estimates for freeriders no  no  no  no  no  no  no  no 
Private imports /exports by private parcels no  no  no  no  no  no  no  no 
Private imports /exports (from journeys) no  no   no no  no  no  no  no 
Internet imports and exports i.e. on-line sales no 

 no

  no no  no  no  no  no 
Other corrections  no no  no  no   no no  no  no 
18.5.4. Measurement points for recycling applied

Packaging waste material

Description of measurement points used (at calculation point or at the output of sorting operation with subtraction of non-target materials as appropriate, end-of-waste criteria, etc.), including variation at regional and local level

Plastic  at calculation point
Wood  at calculation point
Ferrous metals  at calculation point
Aluminium  at calculation point
Glass  at calculation point
Paper and cardboard  at calculation point
Others  at calculation point
18.5.4.1. Detailed description of the methodology to calculate the amount of non-target materials removed between the measurement and the calculation points, where applicable

EPR and self fullfillers have to report recycled  masses at the calculation point ("new methode"). 
18.5.4.2. Detailed description of how compostable packaging recovered at biowaste treatment plants has been identified and recorded in the data

Not relevant. Not recorded in the data.
18.5.5. Methodology to determine recycled amounts from composite packaging or packaging composed of multiple materials

The composition of composite packaging was determined by a study. Based on this study the amounts of the different components were added to the respective packaging materials in Table 1 column "Waste generation".

The proportion of recycled materials from composite packaging was only taken into account for paper composites according to the composition based on the mentioned study.

If the main material of composite packaging is at least 95%, the composite packaging was calculated as 100% main material.
18.5.6. Use of Average Loss rates (ALRS)

Description of the sorted packaging waste to which ALRs are applied, types of sorting plants to which different ALRs apply, the methodological approach to calculating ALRs at such point(s), including the statistical accuracy of any surveys used, or the nature of any technical specifications.

No ALRS are applied in AT.
18.6. Adjustment

See the following subpoints.
18.6.1. Adjustment for impurities and humidity
Factors Total Plastic Wood Ferrous metals Aluminium Glass Paper and Cardboard Other
Correction factors for impurities and humidity in % of waste not available  19  not available  11,7  11,7  3,3  21  not available 
How the correction factors are derived  Representative samples.
If no correction of impurities and humidity is applied, how they are accounted  Not applicable
18.6.2. Attribution of waste to packaging and non-packaging types and correction for humidity

Description, where applicable, of the methodology to exclude non-packaging waste from the reported amount of recycled packaging waste and of the methodology to correct the amount of packaging waste at the measurement point in order to reflect the natural humidity rate of packaging (including by using relevant European standards). Aggregated data across facilities of a similar type is acceptable.

 

It is not applicable for AT data
18.6.3. Attribution of waste

Description of the methodology to exclude waste originating from other countries, where applicable. Aggregated data across facilities of a similar type is acceptable.

It is not applicable for AT data.


19. Comment Top

No comment.


Related metadata Top


Annexes Top