This study aims to evaluate the dynamic efficiency of municipal waste management systems across 28 European countries during the period 2010–2022 and to identify the structural determinants of efficiency differences to support evidence-based environmental policy and decision-making.
The study employs DEA Window analysis (CCR framework) to assess the dynamic efficiency of municipal waste-management systems across 28 European countries during 2010–2022. The evaluation is based on one input and four output indicators derived from the European Circular Economy Monitoring Framework. Additional BCC sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to assess the robustness of the efficiency rankings. In the second stage, a panel fractional logit model is used to identify the structural determinants of efficiency in a group of structurally comparable low-efficiency countries.
The results reveal pronounced and persistent cross-country disparities in waste management efficiency across Europe. Countries with stronger institutional and infrastructural capacity consistently operate closer to the efficiency frontier, whereas structurally constrained countries exhibit persistent inefficiencies, particularly in recycling and material recovery. Although gradual improvements are observed over time, the convergence toward best-practice benchmarks remains limited. Panel fractional logit analysis further indicates that institutional quality exerts a stronger influence on efficiency than conventional macroeconomic or innovation-related factors.
This paper contributes by developing an integrated analytical framework that combines dynamic DEA Window benchmarking, robustness assessment, and panel fractional response modeling to explain persistent structural differences in waste-management efficiency across European countries. Beyond measuring efficiency, the proposed framework supports evidence-based decision-making by identifying structural performance gaps, their institutional drivers, and differentiated policy priorities for countries at different stages of circular-economy transition.
