This study commissioned by the EEA assesses the potential to enhance the circularity of bio-based waste within the framework of the 2025 update of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy.

It focuses on identifying opportunities to move bio-based waste streams up the waste hierarchy, retain technical and economic value and minimise environmental impacts.

The study maps waste generation, collection, treatment and reporting practices across the EU and the technologies for managing biowaste.

It finds that better separate collection and development of high-value recovery pathways could reduce environmental pressures, greenhouse gas emissions and import dependence, though technological feasibility and scalability remain uncertain.