The EU has called on countries to speed up their recycling initiatives.
Countries in the EU already have an obligation to recycle 50% of their waste by 2020. The majority of countries have a long way to go still to reach this goal.
In 2013, Portugal managed to recycle only 13% of its waste and composted another 13%, but a full 50% went into landfill and the remaining 24% was incinerated.
The average of all EU countries in 2013 was 28% recycled and 15% composted.
Only Germany has come close – 47% recycled and 17% to compost – beaten only by Slovenia’s 55% and 7%.
The success rate in the UK stood at recycled 28% and composted 16%.
The European Commission is working on new plans for the post-2020 period. It is believed the plan, to be published later this year, could include phasing out landfill sites altogether along with new regulations to see that household appliances are made to last longer and to be recyclable.
The Commission could also set the target at 70% for recycling household waste by 2030.
Wales had already set itself the goal of 70% recycling by 2025 but Cardiff has had to threaten households with fines up to £100 for failure to comply.
Now many houses there will be given smaller wheelie bins to enforce the rules. Council refuse bags will also be rationed. Analysts say similar measures might have to be introduced across the UK just to reach the 50% goal.
A spokesman for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “Reducing waste and improving resource efficiency is crucial to protecting our environment and growing our economy. We are carefully reviewing the Commission’s consultations and will be developing our response in discussion with stakeholders.”
