A report from the European Environment Agency has revealed that during 2010, Germany, Austria and Belgium topped the list of recycling maximum proportion of municipal waste. Countries like UK and Irelands are also showing a good growth in recycling municipal waste, but still trail in the list.

European Union has set the target of recycling 50% of municipal waste till 2020. The report suggests that in 2010, only 35% of the total waste was recycled. Although, this percentage could not meet the target, it was 23% more than what was recycled in the year 2001.

Five of the total member states have been able to achieve the target set by EU, but others would have to make extra efforts and strategies to reach the target of recycling 50% waste. Some of the countries who are lagging really behind would have to increase the recycling at least by 4% every year.

Between the years 2001 and 2010, the U. K. raised the recycled waste management percentage from small 12% to remarkable 39%, while Ireland showed the significant growth from 11% to 36% during this time frame.

At present, most of the waste in Europe is sent for landfill. The European Environment Agency monitors municipal solid waste management in Europe and there are 27 member states of this agency.