Waste Management in Denmark: Challenges and Opportunities

Denmark is recognized for its advanced waste management practices and commitment to environmental sustainability.

With a comprehensive approach encompassing recycling, energy recovery, and public participation, Denmark aims to transition towards a circular economy.

This article explores the current state of waste management in Denmark, identifies key challenges, and highlights opportunities for continued improvement.

The current state and challenges of Waste Management in Denmark

Denmark operates a comprehensive waste management system built on waste prevention, recycling, and energy recovery.

Central to its approach is the transition to a circular economy, guided by the National Plan for Prevention and Management of Waste 2020–2032 and the Action Plan for Circular Economy (Handlingsplan for Cirkulær Økonomi).

1

Waste generation

Denmark remains one of the highest municipal waste producers per capita in the EU. In 2022, Denmark generated 803 kg of waste per person annually.

2

Recycling and energy recovery:

While Denmark has traditionally relied on incineration for non-recyclable waste, the government is now increasing efforts to shift towards material recycling. The Amager Bakke (CopenHill) facility in Copenhagen is an example of this approach. It serves as both a waste-to-energy plant and a public recreational space. National policies now promote mandatory waste sorting and increased investment in recycling infrastructure to meet EU-aligned targets

3

Circular economy initiatives

Denmark's strategic waste plans aim to increase the recycling rate of household waste to 55% by 2025, 60% by 2030, and 65% by 2035. A total of 129 initiatives across various sectors, including construction, plastics, food, and electronics, form the foundation of the national circular economy agenda, supporting both climate goals and economic resilience.

4

Hazardous waste oversight

A 2024 landslide involving contaminated industrial soil near Randers exposed vulnerabilities in Denmark’s hazardous waste oversight. The event revealed weaknesses in tracking, storage safety, and legal enforcement, underscoring the need for more robust controls and corporate accountability in managing industrial waste.

5

Local-level implementation gaps

While Denmark’s national strategies are well-developed, implementation at the municipal level remains inconsistent. Local governments vary in their capacity to enforce new sorting obligations, expand recycling infrastructure, and effectively engage residents. This uneven rollout may hinder progress toward nationwide circular economy targets, particularly in rural or under-resourced areas.

Opportunities to improve waste management in Denmark

1

Upgrading recycling infrastructure

Denmark’s circular economy targets depend on diverting more waste away from incineration and into material recovery. To achieve this, the government is prioritizing investment in advanced sorting technologies, expanded collection systems, and regional recycling hubs, particularly for plastics, textiles, and electronics. These infrastructure upgrades can improve material quality and recovery rates while reducing climate impacts.

2

Promoting waste prevention

Reducing waste at the source is a core goal of Denmark’s National Waste Prevention Plan, which calls for better product design, reduced food waste, and more circular business models. Public education, eco-labeling, and economic incentives—such as taxes on disposable packaging—can play a larger role in shifting consumer and producer behavior toward waste minimization.

3

Strengthening regulatory frameworks

Recent hazardous waste incidents have shown the need for more robust enforcement of existing regulations. Strengthening digital traceability systems, increasing inspection capacity, and introducing stricter penalties for violations can ensure that corporate actors are held accountable and that risks are better mitigated at local and national levels.

4

Fostering innovation

Denmark’s action plan outlines opportunities for public-private partnerships and innovation grants targeting waste valorization, product reuse, and bio-based alternatives. Supporting research and pilot projects in these areas, especially through the green transition funds, can accelerate the adoption of scalable, circular technologies in both industry and municipalities.

How Azortum can help Denmark improve Waste Management

Azortum offers solutions to help Denmark address its current waste management challenges and meet future circular economy goals:

Sorting and recovery technologies: Advanced sorting systems are designed to improve recycling performance, especially for plastics, textiles, and electronic waste. Our solutions support Denmark's goal of shifting waste from incineration to material recovery.
Retrofitting facilities: Upgrading and modernizing existing recycling plants to increase throughput and material recovery rates, while also ensuring compliance with Denmark's new waste separation and processing standards.
Plastic recycling expertise: Tailored systems for handling complex plastic waste, especially packaging and mixed fractions. These solutions respond directly to Denmark's national targets for reducing plastic incineration and increasing recycling under the 2020 waste sector reform.

Azortum's modular and scalable technologies are tailored to local needs and integrate seamlessly with Denmark's policy-driven transition toward a more circular, resource-efficient economy.

Final thoughts

Denmark's waste management system is among the most developed in Europe, underpinned by national strategies that promote recycling, waste prevention, and the circular use of resources. However, significant challenges remain. While improving plastic recycling and hazardous waste oversight are some of the gaps that need to be addressed in local implementation, reducing reliance on incineration is the biggest challenge Denmark faces.

To meet its national and EU-aligned targets, Denmark must continue to invest in infrastructure, foster innovation, and strengthen policy enforcement. With tailored technologies and expertise in sorting, recovery, and facility modernization, Azortum is well-positioned to support Denmark's transition toward a more circular and sustainable waste future.

Cited sources

Danish Ministry of Environment (MIM.dk). Handlingsplan for Cirkulær Økonomi (Action Plan for Circular Economy).
Danish Development Research Network (DDRN). National Plan for Prevention and Management of Waste 2020–2032 – Summary of Initiatives.
Eurostat (2024). Municipal Waste Statistics - Denmark.
Miljøstyrelsen (Danish Environmental Protection Agency). Waste and Recycling Policy.
Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik). Material and Waste Accounts.
State of Green. New Political Agreement to Ensure a Green Danish Waste Sector by 2030.
Politico Europe. Denmark’s ‘Devilish’ Waste Dilemma: Incineration vs. Recycling.
AP News. A Landslide of Contaminated Soil Threatens Environmental Disaster in Denmark.
Wikipedia. Amager Bakke (CopenHill).

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