A methodological framework for compiling high-detail waste accounts

Accurate and detailed waste data are essential for planning, targeting, implementing and monitoring circular economy policies. This article presents a methodological framework for compiling highly disaggregated, industry-specific waste accounts at the national level, using Finland as a case example. The approach integrates multiple data sources, including administrative records, statistical datasets and targeted data requests, to produce supply and use tables for 65 waste classes and 159 industries. The accounts offer a comprehensive view of national waste flows, including waste generation, pretreatment, final treatment, imports and exports. Data coverage and uncertainty are assessed, highlighting the strengths and limitations of the proposed approach. The resulting accounts are compatible with environmentally extended input-output models and offer multiple opportunities for analyses on circular economy.