Waste Management in Germany 2023

The circular economy aims to minimize resource consumption by maximizing the efficiency of raw material use and keeping these materials in use for as long as possible. It covers every phase, from resource extraction to product design, manufacturing, and the cycle's conclusion via reuse and recycling. While the closed substance cycle, prioritized in environmental policy since the 1980s, focuses on waste management, the circular economy encompasses broader aspects like eco-design and waste prevention. With Germany's high per capita resource consumption, it holds significant responsibility in this arena. The German populace is informed about waste separation and recycling, and the nation has advanced recycling technologies. Despite fluctuations in waste volumes related to economic factors, the necessity to extract raw materials and energy from waste remains. The circular economy is also economically beneficial for Germany, representing a sector with about 11,000 companies, generating approximately 80 billion euros annually.