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Waste statistics 2020

Amount of waste generated in 2020 remained almost unchanged from the previous year – caused by slight changes in the amount of waste from mining and quarrying and manufacturing

release

According to Statistics Finland, close on 116 million tonnes of waste were generated in 2020. This is nearly the same as in the previous year, when the amount of waste had risen mainly due to waste from mining and quarrying. The volumes of waste in 2020 changed in different directions in different industries. The growth in the amount of waste was generated in mining and quarrying and in total amount of waste originating from manufacturing, while the growth in the amount of municipal waste was only one part of the growth.

Key selections

  • The combined amount of waste generated by manufacturing industries grew by around 5 per cent
  • Material recovery of other than mineral waste increased clearly; from 35 to around 42 per cent.
  • Due to the large volume of mineral waste, the share of disposal in all waste treatment was around 84 per cent.

Figures

See key statistical data in the figures.

Waste generated by sector in 2021, 1,000 tonnes per year

Tables

See key statistical data in the tables.

Amount of waste 1000 tons 2017-2021

Amount of waste 1000 tons 2018-2020

Database tables

Pick the data you need into tables, view the data as graphs, or download the data for your use.

Updated database tables
12qw
Classifications used:
  • Waste class
  • NACE
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Statistics:
Updated:
12qy
Classifications used:
  • Waste treatment
  • Waste class
Reference period cycle:
year
Updating frequency:
year
Statistics:
Updated:

Future releases

Referencing instructions

Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Waste statistics [online publication].
Reference period: 2020. ISSN=2323-5314. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [Referenced: 13.5.2026].
Access method:

Related topics

Environment and nature

Contact information

Service email
ymparistotilinpito@stat.fi

Inquiries primarily

Juha Espo
Senior Statistician
029 551 3463

Other experts

Heidi Pirtonen
Senior Statistician
029 551 3093
External link Twitter@HeidiPirt

Head of Department in charge

Katri Kaaja
Head of Department in charge
029 551 3488