Waste generation and treatment (env_wasgt)

1.1. Contact organisation

Statistics Estonia

1.2. Contact organisation unit

Economic and Environmental Statistics Department

1.3. Contact name

Confidential because of GDPR

1.4. Contact person function

Confidential because of GDPR

1.5. Contact mail address

Statistics Estonia, Tatari 51, 10134 Tallinn, Estonia

1.6. Contact email address

Confidential because of GDPR

1.7. Contact phone number

Confidential because of GDPR

1.8. Contact fax number

Confidential because of GDPR

2.1. Metadata last certified

23 February 2026

2.2. Metadata last posted

30 June 2026

2.3. Metadata last update

23 February 2026

3.1. Data description

Annual generation of waste (by economic activities and by type of waste), waste treatment (by type of waste) and number and capacity of waste treatment facilities (by type of treatment)

Data are published every second year (even years)

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
Statistics Estonia	Compilation of reporting on Waste Statistics Regulation
Estonian Environment Agency	Data collecting on waste management

3.1.2. Description of methods determining waste generation

	Source
Waste item	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19
1	In general, administrative data on waste were used to compile WStatR reporting. Estonian Environment Agency collects data from enterprises that have waste permits. These enterprises are companies that provide waste treatment services and collect waste. And also enterprises that generate considerably big amounts of waste need to have waste permits and therefore are covered in WStatR reporting. Particular administrative database of Estonian Environment Agency contain also information on clients` waste amounts that were received. However, small enterprises as clients are not always identified, so the total amount of waste that were generated by enterprises that were not identified, were divided into their economic activities using production statistics (PRODCOM data).																		The same administrative database that was used for NACE activities was also used for households. Enterprises with waste permits show the waste amounts that were received from households and these amounts were reported in households. Packaging waste collected from unknown source were allocated under households.
2
3
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10
11
12
13
14
15
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17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51

3.1.3. Estimation of waste generation in the economy on the basis of a sample survey

Determination of waste generation by (sample) survey

 Sample survey was not used

3.1.4. Estimation of waste generation in the economy on the basis of information on waste treatment

Estimation of waste generation on the basis of information on waste treatment was not done.

Methodology used for waste generation is described in subsection "3.1.2. Description of methods determining waste generation".

1 Scope of the indirect determination (waste types and economic sectors covered)	No indirect determination
2 Number of waste treatment facilities selected by items	Item 1 Incineration (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)
	Not applicable
3 Method(s) applied for differentiation by waste sources	Methods that were used for waste generation are described in 3.1.2
4 Restrictions of the applied methods	No restrictions
4.1 Waste streams not covered	All covered
4.2 Problems of source attachment	Not applicable
4.3 Other problems	Not applicable
Determination	Methods that were used for waste generation are described in 3.1.2

3.1.5. Description of the estimation of waste generation in the economy on the basis of administrative sources

Estimation of waste generation in the economy on the basis of models or other methods 

Description of the models
1	Scope of the model (waste types and economic sectors covered)	Not applicable
2	Basic data for the estimations (production figures etc.)	Not applicable
3	Description of the model and the factors applied	Not applicable
4	Routines applied or foreseen to guarantee sufficient quality (periodical revision of factors, focused surveys for verification etc.)	Not applicable
Description of the information sources
5	Scope for the OTHER information sources (waste types and economic sectors covered)	Not applicable
6	Description of the other information source which is not fitting to the type of information sources mentioned above	Not applicable

Methodology used for waste generation is described in subsection "3.1.2. Description of methods determining waste generation"

3.1.6. Determination methods for waste generated by households

No indirect determination was used.

1	Indirect determination via waste collection
1.1	Description of reporting unit applied (waste collections, municipalities)	No indirect determination was used.
1.2	Description of the reporting system (regular survey on waste collection, utilisation of administrative sources)
1.3	Waste types covered
1.4	Survey characteristics (1.4a – 1.4d)
	Total no. of collectors / municipalities (population size)
	No of collectors / municipalities selected for survey
	No of responses used for the calculation of the totals
	Factor for weighting
1.5	Method applied for the differentiation between the sources household and commercial activities
1.6	Percentage of waste from commercial activities by waste types
2	Indirect determination via waste treatment
2.1	Specification of waste treatment facilities selected	No indirect determination was used.
2.2	Waste types covered
2.3	Method applied for the differentiation between the sources household and commercial activities
2.4	Percentage of waste from commercial activities by waste types

3.1.7. Description of data sources and methods by treatment category

Item 1	Administrative data on waste were used to compile WStatR reporting. These data are collected by Estonian Environment Agency from enterprises that have waste permits (for example from companies that provide waste treatment services).
Incineration (R1)
Item 2
Incineration (D10)
Item 3a
Recycling (R2 – R11)
Item 3b	Backfilling is reported when waste amounts correspond to following criterions all at the same time: 1) waste code is suitable for backfilling; 2) waste treatment site`s code or its name refers to backfilling; treatment operation is mechanical recycling of waste or recovery of waste as backfilling.
Backfilling
Item 4	Administrative data on waste were used to compile WStatR reporting. These data are collected by Estonian Environment Agency from enterprises that have waste permits (for example from companies that provide waste treatment services).
Landfilling (D1, D5, D12)
Item 5
Other disposal (D2,D3,D4, D6,D7)

3.1.8. 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	52	0	All facilities were covered.
Incineration (R1)
Item 2	1	0
Incineration (D10)
Item 3a	326	0
Recycling (R2 – R11)
Item 3b	99	0
Backfilling
Item 4	13	0
Landfilling (D1, D5, D12)
Item 5	1	0
Other disposal (D2,D3,D4, D6,D7)

3.1.9. Registers used for identification of treatment operations

 Registers are not used for compilation of data on waste treatment.

3.2. Classification system

Estonian Classification of Economic Activities (EMTAK 2008) based on NACE Rev. 2

European List of Waste (LoW)

Waste Statistical Nomenclature (EWC-Stat)

3.2.1. Description of classification used

	Name of classifications used	Description of the classification(s)
Economic activities	EMTAK 2008	Estonian Classification of Economic Activities (EMTAK 2008) based on NACE Rev. 2
Waste types	LoW; EWC-Stat	European List of Waste (LoW); Waste Statistical Nomenclature (EWC-Stat)
Recovery operations	A list of waste recovery operations	A List of waste recovery operations is established by a Regulation of the Government of the Republic (RT I, 08 June 2021, 8).
Disposal operations	A list of waste disposal operations	A List of waste disposal operations is established by a Regulation of the Government of the Republic (RT I, 08 June 2021, 8).

3.3. Coverage - sector

All sectors are covered

3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions

Waste – any movable property or registered ship belonging to any of the waste categories which the holder discards, intends or is required to discard.

Hazardous waste – waste which due to at least one of the hazardous properties specified in the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1357/2014 may cause a hazard to human health, property or the environment.

Waste generation – waste generated in enterprise during the reporting period due to production or other activity including waste collected from others.

Waste producer – person or a state or local government agency whose activities produce waste or a person who carries out operations with waste, for example pre-processing or mixing of waste, resulting in a change in the nature or composition of the waste.

Waste management – waste handling, including establishment and care of waste facilities infrastructure required for this, supervision over waste handling and establishment and care of waste management facilities, including aftercare.

Waste handling – collection, transport, recovery, including sorting, and disposal of waste, including the activities of a broker or dealer.

Waste permit – a right granted to a person handling waste or waste producer the right to carry out one or several of the waste handling operations specified in § 73 of Waste Act (RT I, 17 March 2023, 37), and determines the requirements for exercising the right. Waste permits are granted by the Environmental Board.

A waste permit is required for:

• disposal of waste;
• waste recovery;
• recovery or disposal of hazardous waste as a part of economic activities;
• recovery or disposal of waste metal as a part of economic activities;
• operation of an extractive waste facility;
• operation of a landfill;
• aftercare of a landfill and an extractive waste facility.

3.5. Statistical unit

Economic unit and household

3.6. Statistical population

Enterprises who are engaged in waste management or generate big amounts of waste in the production process.

3.7. Reference area

Estonia as a whole

3.8. Coverage - Time

2004 - 2024

3.9. Base period

Not applicable

Tonnes

Year 2024

6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements

DIRECTLY APPLICABLE LEGAL ACTS

Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2002 on waste statistics

Commission Regulation (EC) No 574/2004 of 23 February 2004 amending Annexes I and III to Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste statistics

Commission Regulation (EC) No 782/2005 of 24 May 2005 setting out the format for the transmission of results on waste statistics

Commission Regulation (EC) No 783/2005 of 24 May 2005 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste statistics

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1445/2005 of 5 September 2005 defining the proper quality evaluation criteria and the contents of the quality reports for waste statistics for the purposes of Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council

Commission Regulation (EU) No 849/2010 of 27 September 2010 amending Regulation (EC) No 2150/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste statistics

OTHER LEGAL ACTS

Official Statistics Act (RT I 2010, 41, 241)

Waste Act (RT I, 18 March 2026, 33)

6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing

Official Statistics Act (RT I 2010, 41, 241)

Waste Act (RT I, 18 March 2026, 33)

Agreement between Estonian Environment Agency and Statistics Estonia about data delivery

7.1. Confidentiality - policy

The dissemination of data collected for the purpose of producing official statistics is guided by the requirements provided for in § 32, § 34, § 35, § 38 of the Official Statistics Act.

7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment

The dissemination of data collected for the production of official statistics is based on the requirements laid down in §§ 34 and 35 of the Official Statistics Act.

The principles for treatment of confidential data can be found: Data protection privacy policy

8.1. Release calendar

Data will be published on Statistics Estonia website in 30 of June 2026

8.2. Release calendar access

Calendar

8.3. Release policy - user access

All users have been granted equal access to official statistics: dissemination dates of official statistics are announced in advance and no user category (incl. Eurostat, state authorities and mass media) is provided access to official statistics before other users. Official statistics are first published in the statistical database. If there is also a news release, it is published simultaneously with data in the statistical database. Official statistics are available on the website at 8:00 a.m. on the date announced in the release calendar.

Data are published every two years

10.1. Dissemination format - News release

News release is not made.

10.2. Dissemination format - Publications

Publication about waste statistics was not made by Statistics Estonia.

10.3. Dissemination format - online database

Data table "KK068: WASTE GENERATION BY KIND OF WASTE AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY (EMTAK 2008)" is published under the subject area “Environment / Environmental pressure / Generation of waste” in the statistical database at Data table "KK068: WASTE GENERATION BY KIND OF WASTE AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY (EMTAK 2008)

10.3.1. Data tables - consultations

Not available

10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access

Micro-data are not disseminated by Statistics Estonia.

10.5. Dissemination format - other

No other disseminations are done by Statistics Estonia

10.5.1. Metadata - consultations

No metadata consultations are done by Statistics Estonia

10.6. Documentation on methodology

ESMS metadata concerning waste statistics is published on Statistics Estonia website:

Waste management | Statistikaamet

10.6.1. Metadata completeness - rate

Not calculated

10.7. Quality management - documentation

Other documents besides Eurostat's Quality Report is not compiled

11.1. Quality assurance

To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the EFQM Excellence Model, the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (ESS QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the requirements in § 7. “Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.

11.2. Quality management - assessment

Statistics Estonia performs all statistical activities according to an international model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process; this information can take many forms, including feedback from users, process metadata, system metrics and suggestions from employees. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report which outlines all the quality problems related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.

Quality of 2024 data were considered good.

12.1. Relevance - User Needs

The main users of waste statistics data are:

Ministry of Climate

Environmental Board

Estonian Rescue Board

Stockholm Environment Insitute (SEI Tallinn)

Local government institutions

12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction

Since 1996, Statistics Estonia has conducted reputation and user satisfaction surveys. All results are available on the website of Statistics Estonia in the section User surveys.

12.3. Completeness

No missing data occur in the reporting tables sent to Eurostat.

12.3.1. Data completeness - rate

No missing data occur in the reporting tables sent to Eurostat.

12.3.2. Description of missing data in the waste generation dataset

No missing data occur in the reporting tables sent to Eurostat.

12.3.3. Description of missing data in datasets on treated waste and quantities and capacities of facilities

No missing data occur in the reporting tables sent to Eurostat.

13.1. Accuracy - overall

The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness.

13.2. Sampling error

Not applicable

13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators

Not applicable

13.3. Non-sampling error

Not applicable

13.3.1. Coverage error

Not applicable

13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate

Not applicable

13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion

Not applicable

13.3.1.3. Comparison of the number of units in the Register of Business and the number of units included in the calculation of the amount of waste generated

NACE	A	B	C10-C12	C13-C15	C16	C17_C18	C19	C23	C24_C25	C26-C30	C31-C33	D	E36_E37_E39	E38	F	G-U_X_G4677	G4677	TOTAL excluding HH
number of units in the Business Register	6510	174	1057	1101	1233	456	5	338	1622	812	2572	661	154	165	17634	124791	69	159354
number of units included in the calculation of the amount of waste generated*	157	27	10	1	45	6	3	14	11	9	9	31	33	109	94	289	35	883

* for the needs of the GENER dataset (occurring in the administrative system / participating in the statistical survey)

Not applicable.

13.3.1.4. Coverage of waste statistics with regard to extractive waste

Coverage	Topsoil	Overburden	Waste-rock	Tailings (non-haz.)
Completely covered			X	X
Partially covered
Generally excluded	X	X

13.3.1.5. Description of issues related to the allocation of mining waste to NACE section B or C

No issues

13.3.1.6. Coverage of waste treatment facilities and criteria for exclusion

All waste treatment facilities were included.

13.3.2. Measurement error

Survey data are all on enterprise level, as well as the estimates based on production statistics. The treatment facilities are classified on both kind activity unit and enterprise levels.

All waste permit holders have obligation to keep regular records of the type, quantity, properties and generation of the waste produced, collected, stored or temporarily stored, transported, recovered or disposed of during its activities and to report to local environmental authorities on waste generation, collection and treatment. Regional departments of Environmental Board supervise the waste permit holders registered in their county and validate the data of environmental permits and respective reports.

All waste quantities in Estonian were collected in tons with 3 decimal point level.

13.3.3. Non response error

Statistics Estonia did not collect data on waste generation by survey for 2024. All waste permit holders have obligation to keep regular records of the type, quantity, properties and generation of the waste produced, collected, stored or temporarily stored, transported, recovered or disposed of during its activities and to report to Environment Agency on waste generation, collection and treatment. Environment Agency supervise the waste permit holders registered in Estonia.

13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate

Not applicable

13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate

Not applicable

13.3.4. Processing error

Not applicable

13.3.5. Model assumption error

For industrial enterprises (NACE 05-33)  not having waste permit, and not mentioned as clients of waste collectors companies, the production statistics data were used in order to allocate the waste amounts that generated by unidentified source into economic activities. The method was built on the assumption that business sector groups comprise a comparatively homogenous range of products, which should lead to similar types of waste being generated.

The model assumption error was not estimated.

14.1. Timeliness

The final results were compiled and published on Statistics Estonia website according to chedule.

Data were transmitted to Eurostat without delay.

14.1.1. Time lag - first result

Preliminary data on WStatR reporting are not published in Estonia.

14.1.2. Time lag - final result

The final results were compiled and published on Statistics Estonia website according to chedule.

Data were transmitted to Eurostat without delay.

14.2. Punctuality

The final results were compiled and published on Statistics Estonia website according to chedule.

Data were transmitted to Eurostat without delay.

14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication

The final results were compiled and published on Statistics Estonia website according to chedule.

Data were transmitted to Eurostat without delay.

15.1. Comparability - geographical

Waste statistisc is compiled on total country level. All geographical areas are covered.

15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient

Not estimated

15.2. Comparability - over time

In general, (WStatR) waste statistics is comparable over time as the same methodology was used.

In 2020 the break in time series for waste categories W124 „combustion wastes hazardous“ and „combustion wastes non-hazardous“ occur.

On 1 January 2020, an amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment “Procedure for Classification of Waste and List of Waste” and its Annex 1 entered into force, which changed oil shale ashes from hazardous waste to non-hazardous waste. The change is not retroactive therefore data of year 2020 about generation of combustion wastes (non-hazardous) and combustion wastes (hazardous) are not comparable with data of previous years and were marked with „break in time series “.

15.2.1. Length of comparable time series

Data up to 2018 are totally comperable.

In 2020 the break in time series for waste categories W124 „combustion wastes hazardous“ and „combustion wastes non-hazardous“ occur.

On 1 January 2020, an amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment “Procedure for Classification of Waste and List of Waste” and its Annex 1 entered into force, which changed oil shale ashes from hazardous waste to non-hazardous waste. The change is not retroactive therefore data of year 2020 about generation of combustion wastes (non-hazardous) and combustion wastes (hazardous) are not comparable with data of previous years and were marked with „break in time series “.

Incomparability occur only for devision of waste category W124 between hazardous and non-hazardous. In case of all other waste categories, data for are comparable for all time series. 

15.3. Coherence - cross domain

Waste statistics according to regulation on waste statistics are related to statistical activity “Manufactured goods and industrial services”, which is used as input in classifying waste of unspecified origin by economic activities. Waste statistics provide input for statistical activities “Material flow accounts”, “Energy accounts”, “Sustainable development indicators” and “Environmental trends”.

15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics

For waste statistics only annual data were compiled.

15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts

The waste module of Environmental Accounting is not compiled in Estonia, so the respective coherence could not be defined.

15.4. Coherence - internal

The data are inherently coherent, as the same methodology and data sources are used.

No surveys on waste generation nor treatment were carried out, only administrative data and estimations based on existing economical data and Business Register for Statistical purposes were used for data compilation.

Additional questions for statistical purposes were not asked.

16.1. Burden on respondents

No surveys on waste generation nor treatment were carried out, only administrative data and estimations based on existing economical data and Business Register for Statistical purposes were used for data compilation.
Additional questions for statistical purposes were not asked.

17.1. Data revision - policy

The data revision policy and notification of corrections are described in the section Principles of dissemination of official statistics of the website of Statistics Estonia: Principles-dissemination-official-statistics

17.2. Data revision - practice

The published data may be revised if the methodology is modified, errors are discovered, new or better data become available.

17.2.1. Data revision - average size

Data revision for earlier years were not made. Only in case when errors are covered, earlier years data are revised and the footnotes under published data tables in Statistics Estonia`s webpages inform data users that data have been changed compared to previous.

18.1. Source data

SURVEY DATA

Not used

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

The following data are received from the Estonian Environment Agency: waste generation by type of waste; waste disposal, incl. disposal in landfills; waste recovery, incl. energy recovery; export and import of waste.

DATA FROM OTHER STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES

Data from statistical activity “Manufactured goods and industrial services” are used.

18.2. Frequency of data collection

Companies that hold waste permits, including waste transporters on professional basis, shall submit reports about their waste-related activities via KOTKAS data base (managed by Estonian Environment Agency) at least once a year.

18.3. Data collection

See below.

18.3.1. Description of methods of data collection on capacity of treatment facilities (Dataset FAC: facilities of treatment of waste)

A special chapter of Waste Act regulates the keeping of records on waste generation and management in enterprises, as well as regular waste reporting to environmental authorities. Obligation to keep records covers all the persons having waste permits or integrated environmental permits and registered waste handlers, also hazardous waste generators. The same persons have yearly reporting obligation according to § 117 of Waste Act. As all operators of the waste recovery and disposal facilities must have permit or registration, they are also covered with reporting duty.

All enterprises that have been issued an integrated environmental permit, waste permit or waste management registration certificate have an obligation to submit their annual waste activity report data into the web-based information system  KOTKAS administered by the Estonian Environment Agency.  The dataset for the report on waste and the procedure for the submission thereof shall be established by a regulation (RT I, 21 December 2022, 24) of the minister in charge of the policy sector.

The person who has according to Waste Act obligation to report (waste reporter) can operate several waste management facilities or generate waste in more than one site or installation or local kind of activity unit (KAU). In this case the reporter submits waste reports separately for each facility or unit i.e. every waste management (incl. recovery and disposal) facility submits individual repor. 

If waste is transferred to other waste management companies, records shall also be kept on the destination, frequency of collection, means of transport, as well as the recovery and disposal procedures of the waste. On the basis of these records companies that hold waste permits, including waste transporters on professional basis, shall submit reports about their waste-related activities  at least once a year. 

All waste collectors and operators of the waste recovery and disposal facilities have the obligation to indicate the source of received waste in their reporting. Waste database of Estonian Environment Agency includes also the data about main clients of waste collectors by collected waste types according to the classification system based on European List of Waste.

The category “households” is explicitly asked.

The waste generation of the enterprises who have the reporting obligation according to the waste permits issued by the respective institutions of the Estonian Ministry of the Climate (Regional departments of Environmental Board) was assembled by Estonian Environment Agency. The primary database of waste generation of enterprises holding waste permits was handed over to Statistics Estonia.

18.4. Data validation

The Estonian Environment Agency forms a central primary database of enterprises holding waste permits. The data are checked manually for consistency. The mass balances and some other features are checked automatically. Data check (including coding) was done both by Regional departments of Environmental Board and Estonian Environment Agency. Statistics Estonia gets the administrative waste management database of enterprises holding waste permits and adds to this database the economic activity codes (NACE categories), from the Business Register for statistical purposes of Statistics Estonia.

18.5. Data compilation

All waste collectors and operators of the waste recovery and disposal facilities have the obligation to indicate the source of received waste in their reporting. Waste database of Estonian Environment Agency includes also the data about main clients of waste collectors by collected waste types according to the classification system based on European List of Waste. In case of enterprises without waste permits, the data of waste management enterprises clients were used for estimation waste generation by economic activities.This section is about collecting data on capacity of treatment facilities.

18.5.1. Imputation - rate

Not applicable

18.5.2. Wet matter for sludges

	03.2		03.3		11	12.7
	Industrial effluent sludges		Sludges and liquid wastes from waste treatment		Common sludges	Dredging spoils
	non-hazardous	hazardous	non-hazardous	hazardous	non-hazardous	non-hazardous	hazardous
Generation in wet weight (tonnes)	1 383,070	53 545,303	308 311,740	481,151	293 785,242	65 922,200	0,000
Generation in dry weight (tonnes)	438,433	16 973,861	97 734,822	152,525	57 875,693	32 961,100	0,000
Wet matter (%)	68,3%	68,3%	68,3%	68,3%	80,3%	50,0%	50,0%

18.5.3. Indicators

	03.2		03.3		11	12.7
	Industrial effluent sludges		Sludges and liquid wastes from waste treatment		Common sludges	Dredging spoils
	non-hazardous	hazardous	non-hazardous	hazardous	non-hazardous	non-hazardous	hazardous
Generation in wet weight (tonnes)	1 383,070	53 545,303	308 311,740	481,151	293 785,242	65 922,200	0,000
Generation in dry weight (tonnes)	438,433	16 973,861	97 734,822	152,525	57 875,693	32 961,100	0,000
Indicators for dry weight	0,317	0,317	0,317	0,317	0,197	0,500	0,500

18.6. Adjustment

Seasonal adjustments or any other kind of macro-level adjustments were not applied.

18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment

Seasonal adjustments or any other kind of macro-level adjustments were not applied

Quantity of backfilling was expert estimation.

In 2024.a the density of municipal waste disposed of in landfills has been calculated using a coefficient of 0.9 t/m³ (previously 0.22 t/m³). This methodological change is based on environmental reports from landfills and actual measurements.

Annual generation of waste (by economic activities and by type of waste), waste treatment (by type of waste) and number and capacity of waste treatment facilities (by type of treatment)

Data are published every second year (even years)

23 February 2026

Waste – any movable property or registered ship belonging to any of the waste categories which the holder discards, intends or is required to discard.

Hazardous waste – waste which due to at least one of the hazardous properties specified in the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 1357/2014 may cause a hazard to human health, property or the environment.

Waste generation – waste generated in enterprise during the reporting period due to production or other activity including waste collected from others.

Waste producer – person or a state or local government agency whose activities produce waste or a person who carries out operations with waste, for example pre-processing or mixing of waste, resulting in a change in the nature or composition of the waste.

Waste management – waste handling, including establishment and care of waste facilities infrastructure required for this, supervision over waste handling and establishment and care of waste management facilities, including aftercare.

Waste handling – collection, transport, recovery, including sorting, and disposal of waste, including the activities of a broker or dealer.

Waste permit – a right granted to a person handling waste or waste producer the right to carry out one or several of the waste handling operations specified in § 73 of Waste Act (RT I, 17 March 2023, 37), and determines the requirements for exercising the right. Waste permits are granted by the Environmental Board.

A waste permit is required for:

• disposal of waste;
• waste recovery;
• recovery or disposal of hazardous waste as a part of economic activities;
• recovery or disposal of waste metal as a part of economic activities;
• operation of an extractive waste facility;
• operation of a landfill;
• aftercare of a landfill and an extractive waste facility.

Economic unit and household

Enterprises who are engaged in waste management or generate big amounts of waste in the production process.

Estonia as a whole

Year 2024

The type of survey and the data collection methods ensure sufficient coverage and timeliness.

Tonnes

All waste collectors and operators of the waste recovery and disposal facilities have the obligation to indicate the source of received waste in their reporting. Waste database of Estonian Environment Agency includes also the data about main clients of waste collectors by collected waste types according to the classification system based on European List of Waste. In case of enterprises without waste permits, the data of waste management enterprises clients were used for estimation waste generation by economic activities.This section is about collecting data on capacity of treatment facilities.

SURVEY DATA

Not used

ADMINISTRATIVE DATA

The following data are received from the Estonian Environment Agency: waste generation by type of waste; waste disposal, incl. disposal in landfills; waste recovery, incl. energy recovery; export and import of waste.

DATA FROM OTHER STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES

Data from statistical activity “Manufactured goods and industrial services” are used.

Data are published every two years

The final results were compiled and published on Statistics Estonia website according to chedule.

Data were transmitted to Eurostat without delay.

Waste statistisc is compiled on total country level. All geographical areas are covered.

In general, (WStatR) waste statistics is comparable over time as the same methodology was used.

In 2020 the break in time series for waste categories W124 „combustion wastes hazardous“ and „combustion wastes non-hazardous“ occur.

On 1 January 2020, an amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment “Procedure for Classification of Waste and List of Waste” and its Annex 1 entered into force, which changed oil shale ashes from hazardous waste to non-hazardous waste. The change is not retroactive therefore data of year 2020 about generation of combustion wastes (non-hazardous) and combustion wastes (hazardous) are not comparable with data of previous years and were marked with „break in time series “.