On 29 January 2016, the European Commission launched in Brussels the study "Evaluation of selective collection schemes in 28 EU capitals (2015)". The study 
shows the current situation of the systems implemented in European capitals, as well as examples of good practices that can be used as a basis for improving the systems in European countries.
Separate collection of municipal waste is already a legal obligation in all Member States of the European Union. The study launched at the end of January in Brussels was designed to assess objectively and correctly the situation in 28 European capitals regarding separate waste collection, in the context of the launch of a new legislative package on the Circular Economy.
It is important for the whole of Europe to know where it is in terms of waste collection, recycling and recovery. Is Europe ready to turn waste into a valuable secondary raw material at the levels required by law?
The answer was a partial surprise: two of the three countries in the top of selective collection (at the capital level) are from Central and Eastern Europe: Slovenia and Estonia. Ljubljana and Tallinn, together with Helsinki (Finland), lead in the ranking of European capitals, with selective collection rates of 55,4%, 42,2% and 38,6% respectively. Europe has an average selective collection rate of 19%.
Karmenu Vella, EU Commissioner for Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, said: "When you see such high percentages in the three countries, you realize how important political will is. It thus proves that the transition from outdated disposal methods to newer and smarter ones can be done quite quickly, without the need for extremely long adaptation periods. All Member States can adopt circular economy measures in their waste policy, and this study shows them how."
Unfortunately, the data about Romania does not look good. With a national collection rate of 2,58%, Romania still has much to improve at the capital and country level. The data show that we completely lack the door-to-door collection system, as well as the selective collection centers at the municipal level. At the beginning of March, Iași City Hall, in partnership with ECOTIC and Salubris and through the co-financing of Norway Grants, launches the first such center in Romania: Iasi Municipal Collection Center.
We invite you to download press release and The study launched by the European Commission.