Waste Management

Aligning waste practices with climate goals

The waste sector has the potential to cut global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 10–15%. 
By focusing on prevention, reuse, recycling, and energy recovery. 
 

Using the Waste Management Criteria we can

• Reduce emissions from landfills. 
• Minimise reliance on virgin resource extraction and production. 
• Provide renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels. 

Governments and businesses increasingly recognise the environmental and economic benefits of improved waste management. To transition to a low-carbon economy, we need significant investments in new technologies and infrastructure that transform waste into valuable resources. 

The Waste Management Criteria provide standards for assets and projects focused on municipal solid waste (MSW), including household and similar commercial or industrial waste. These Criteria guide investments to lower emissions and promote sustainable waste practices. 
 

Eligible activities

The Criteria apply to projects and assets focused on: 

• Collection: Infrastructure, containers, and systems for waste collection. 
• Sorting: Facilities to separate recyclables. 
• Reuse and Recycling: Processing waste into secondary raw materials or repairing products. 
• Composting and Anaerobic Digestion: Handling green, garden, and food waste. 
• Thermal Treatment with Energy Recovery: Processing residual waste (outside the EU only). 
• Landfill Gas Recovery: Installing systems to capture gas from non-operational landfill sites. 
   

Looking ahead

An updated version of the Criteria, focusing on methane abatement measures, is in development. This update is expected to launch in 2025, further enhancing the sector's impact on addressing climate change.