By contrast to other EU Member States, household waste and industrial waste is treated in one and the same waste system in Denmark, and local authorities are responsible for the system.

Local authorities are responsible for collection and treatment of waste for incineration and landfill in compliance with national rules. Local authorities prepare regulations in the field and are responsible for ensuring treatment capacity of waste to be incinerated or landfilled. 

Collection of household waste takes place at three levels:

1. Collection from the household
2. Collection in the community (waste islands and igloos)
3. Collection in the district (recycling centres)

Most local authorities are member of intermunicipal waste management companies ensuring that they are able to put waste incineration and landfill capacity at the disposal of waste producers. Vestforbrænding is Denmark’s largest municipal waste management company, owned by 19 municipalities in the greater Copenhagen area.

Furthermore, a network of intermunicipal reception centres has been established ensuring management of hazardous waste.

As from 2010 waste producers, i.e. businesses and householders, are responsible themselves for treatment of source-separated recyclable waste. The different waste fractions must be treated at registered facilities holding an environmental approval. 

EU directives and rules concerning, for example, producer responsibility for waste electrical and electronic equipment and batteries etc. naturally also apply in Denmark.