Poor waste management contributes to climate change and air pollution, and directly affects many ecosystems and species. Landfills, considered the last resort in the waste hierarchy, release methane, a very powerful greenhouse gas linked to climate change. In Luxemburg, waste generation per capita (at 700 kg) is among the highest in western Europe. Municipal waste collection for recycling amounts to about 275 kg per capita every year, making Luxembourg's performance among the best in western Europe. Nevertheless, from a detailed analysis of the waste composition carried out in 2004-2005, it appears that the residual fraction going to incineration or treatment still contains a fair share of litter that could be recovered.

Luxembourg's new National Waste and Resource Management Plan (NWRP) includes measures and guidelines for the implementation of the amended Waste Management Act of March 21, 2012. It analyses the situation regarding waste management and lists measures that will be taken to ensure the re-use, recycling, recovery and disposal of waste in the most environmentally friendly conditions while remaining in line with the national and European legislative context. It was drafted in consultation with stakeholders and citizens over a 3-year period. This included thematic workshops on municipal waste, food waste, construction & demolition waste and treatment plant waste. The plan also received input through the May 2017 'National Waste Day' and further public consultations in Spring 2018. Its implementation will be overseen by the Ministry for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure's environmental agency for the period 2018 - 2022.

The overall objective of the NWRMP is to protect the environment, cultural property and human health by preventing and reducing the harmful effects of waste. In addition, waste management has long-term goals, including conservation of resources, climate protection and impacts for future generations. The NWRMP, among others, includes the following ambitious targets for 2022:

- reducing food waste by 50%;

- 65% collection rate of electric and electronic waste;

- less than 10% of all municipal waste going to landfill.

The objectives will be achieved through various measures, on the one hand strategic, such as guidelines structuring, planning, and management, on the other hand, operational measures, setting deadlines and reduction targets.