The European Commission is preparing a new implementing act designed to standardize the calculation and verification of materials lost during waste sorting operations. The initiative aims to ensure that Member States report recycling data based on the actual quantity of materials that enter the recycling process, rather than the raw mass delivered to sorting facilities. This move effectively ends the practice where technological losses and contaminants were counted toward official recycling targets.
Published on the “Have Your Say” portal (Initiative 14711), this legislative proposal refines the implementation of Directive 2008/98/EC on waste and Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste. Experts emphasize that achieving a true circular economy is impossible without precisely identifying the fraction of selectively collected waste that is lost at the end of the sorting process.
The Significance of Average Loss Rates (ALR)
In current practice, Member States often struggle to define the exact “calculation point” for recycling. Frequently, the weight of sorted bales leaving a facility is measured, despite these bales containing significant amounts of foreign matter, moisture, or non-recyclable residues.
The new regulation introduces the methodology of Average Loss Rates (ALRs). This will allow for:
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The deduction of losses occurring after sorting operations based on standardized indicators.
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A clear distinction between valuable materials lost for technological reasons and contaminants removed during sorting.
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Enhanced comparability and verifiability of data across all EU Member States.
Quantitative Targets and Statistical Precision
The EU has set ambitious targets: at least 60% of municipal waste must be recycled by 2030, rising to 65% by 2035. Commission estimates suggest that accurate reporting of sorting losses could lead to a 5-15% decrease in currently reported recycling rates for several Member States, exposing the gaps in previous measurement systems.
According to the draft regulation, measurements must be conducted at the following points:
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Entry Point: The mass of raw waste entering the sorting plant.
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Output Point: The mass of sorted, baled material (where the ALR is applied).
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Recycling Entry Point: The specific point where the material enters the final reprocessing operation (e.g., pelletizing or smelting).
A New Era of Oversight and Reporting
Under the initiative, Member States must establish national-level verification systems. Reporting requirements will include the type of sorting facilities used, the specific material streams processed (plastic, metal, paper, glass), and the technological efficiency of the plants.
According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), a significant portion of the 2.1 billion tonnes of waste generated annually in the EU ends up as sorting residue, which has not been tracked with sufficient rigor until now. The new rules mandate the precise documentation of “rejects,” particularly when they are sent for energy recovery or landfilling.
Why the Change is Necessary
The source material emphasizes that a lack of accurate data distorts the market. If producers and waste managers do not see real loss rates, there is little incentive to invest in advanced sorting technologies, such as AI-powered optical sorters or robotic systems. Furthermore, in “split EPR” (Extended Producer Responsibility) systems, fees must be tied to actual recycling costs and verified outcomes.
Member States have until mid-2026 to provide feedback on the final text, with the rules slated for mandatory application starting from the 2027 reporting year.
Summary
The European Commission’s initiative is about cleaning up waste statistics. By mandating the deduction of sorting losses and the strict verification of data, the EU ensures that recycling figures reflect genuine environmental performance. This step is a prerequisite for Europe to meet its circular economy goals and meaningfully reduce its environmental impact.
Official Sources and References:
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European Commission – Initiative Details (Original Source): https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14711-Rules-for-the-calculation-and-verification-of-average-loss-rates-for-sorted-waste_en
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Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1004 (Methodological Basis): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32019D1004
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Eurostat – Waste Statistics Manual: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/waste/methodology
