In terms of materials valorization, like compost facilities
and digestion installations of MSW in Romania, an initiative
has been observed since 2011, with 1 kg/capita, this
representing a total of approximately 20.000 tonnes of waste,
treated in this manner.
The last treatment option and less preferred one is
final disposal in landfills, which is still the most widely
used alternative in Romania. By comparing with the MSW
deposited rate in EU, the situation shows that the rates in
Romania are clearly higher and the MSW deposited per capita
in EU represents 86%–73% of the amount corresponding in
RO. Both rates of deposited waste have registered a decline
over the entire period. Comparing years 2004 and 2013, Fig. 9
shows a reduction of 63 kg/capita in Romania and 76 kg/capita
at European level, but in Romania’s case this means that
96% of the treated waste goes to landfills, while in EU the
percentage is 30%.
The figures are of concern and are imperative for a
revision of the Romanian strategy on waste management,
especially considering the expected EU Waste Directive,
which envisages a 10% target for waste disposal by 2030.
In terms of number of facilities that can treat solid waste,
the results presented in Table 6 indicate their variation
over 2004–2012. The number of landfills and the Waste-to-
Energy facilities have decreased, while recycling facilities
have emerged, offering the perspective to treat waste, other
than by the classical disposal. Old landfills have been closed
down, either because they had reached the design capacity, or
because the legal requirements for the continuation of their
activities were not fulfilled anymore.
3.4. Sustainability of the solid waste management system
in Romania
3.4.1. Solid waste self sufficiency calculations
Once the resources are transformed in products or used
in providing services, all kinds of wastes are expected to