Over 700,000 tonnes of waste metal in 1996

Norway recorded over 700,000 tonnes of metal waste in 1996. This is an increase of nearly 200,000 tonnes from 1992. New calculations indicate, however, that the actual quantity could be up to three or four times as high.

Most of the metal waste comes from manufacturing industries, private households and service industries. The figures are preliminary and may be revised in subsequent updates of the waste accounts.

Higher estimated quantity

The quantity of metal waste in Norway is estimated in two ways: One is with the help of existing waste statistics, and the other with the help of statistics on imported, exported and manufactured metal-containing goods. According to available waste statistics, more than 700,000 tonnes of waste were registered in Norway in 1996. Estimates of metals brought into Norway indicate, however, that the actual quantities of metal waste generated are three to four times higher. The estimated quantity is hereafter called the theoretical waste quantity.

There are several reasons for the difference between the recorded and theoretical quantity of waste. Firstly, several industries are poorly covered in the waste statistics. Secondly, there is reason to believe that some of the waste never ends up in the waste system. Thirdly, product lifetimes can be underestimated in calculating the theoretical waste quantity. Moreover, quite a bit of metal "disappears" by corrosion. Both calculation methods show, however, a rising trend from 1992 to 1996. The trend is for the most part a result of increased supplies of metals in the '60s, '70s and '80s.

New Statistics
Waste accounts for metals, 1992-1996.
Methods and earlier calculations for waste accounts in general are found in the report "Avfallsregnskap for Norge - Prinsipper og metoder. Resultater for papir og glass" (97/12). For more information, contact: Oystein.Skullerud@ssb.no, tel.+47 62 88 52 29, or Olav.Skogesal@ssb.no, tel. +47 62 88 51 65.

Weekly Bulletin issue no. 45, 1998