Understanding the costs: a brief overview of the economic costs related to waste infrastructure across Europe

In the current landscape of European municipalities, the rationale supporting the adoption of zero waste solutions is undeniably rooted in environmental considerations. The advantages extend from the reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and harmful pollutants to the diminished reliance on extracting and manufacturing new products from natural resources. The environmental merits of transitioning to a zero waste approach are conspicuous, fostering a prevailing consensus and acknowledgment that such a shift is imperative to address the prevailing environmental crises.

However, when viewed through an economic lens, the stance for municipalities becomes somewhat less lucid. The initial phase demands an investment to transform the waste management system into one geared towards generating significantly less waste and safeguarding the value of resources. Insights gleaned from our experiences with Zero Waste Cities underscore that, when executed effectively, a zero waste system proves to be markedly more efficient, resulting in reduced waste production and substantial long-term cost savings for cities.

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