Municipal Waste Europe is the European association representing municipalities responsible for waste management and their publicly owned waste management companies, promoting public responsibility for waste  management as a service of general interest.

The members are national public waste associations and similar national or regional associations. They are committed to a sustainable waste management that minimise the impact on the environment and promote resource efficiency, taking into account local conditions. Municipal Waste Europe promotes the interests of its members at European level, through a joint position towards the EU institutions, and keeps its members informed on the latest EU policy developments. The association encourages the sharing of information among the members and the exchange of good practices in the local management of waste.

Waste management service is a crucial aspect of the social responsibility for the environment and public health in Europe. This service, including collection and treatment systems, is best developed at national, regional and local level. Municipal Waste Europe promotes waste management as a service of general interest and believes that public sector participation on the market is crucial to ensure competition and diversity of operators.

Municipal Waste Europe objective is to guarantee that local authorities responsible for waste are free to choose their organizational and financial structure.