Malta remains one of the worst-performing countries in the European Union when it comes to recycling, with rates far below the EU average.
According to recent Eurostat data, around 48% of municipal waste is recycled across the EU, highlighting steady progress in waste management across member states.
In contrast, Malta’s recycling rate has been significantly lower, recorded at around 13–15% in recent years, placing it firmly among the lowest in Europe.
Countries leading the EU rankings include nations such as Germany, Austria and Slovenia, where recycling rates exceed 50% and, in some cases, approach 60% or higher.
Meanwhile, countries at the bottom of the list — alongside Malta — include Romania and Bulgaria, where recycling levels remain below 20%.
Local data also reflects the challenge. In 2024, Malta recycled just over 58,000 tonnes of municipal waste, while nearly 80% of waste still concludeed up in landfill, displaying continued reliance on dumping rather than recycling.
Despite some improvements in recent years, the gap between Malta and the rest of the EU remains significant.
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