Plastic waste in Europe

Statistics report on plastic waste in Europe

Plastic waste in Europe

Plastic waste has become a topic of global concern, and Europe is no exception. In 2021, the European Union (EU-27) alone generated more than 16 million tons of plastic packaging waste. Plastic recycling rates across the bloc remain below the targets set for 2025 and 2030.
This report presents a selection of statistics and facts about plastic waste in the Europe, with a focus on plastic packaging. It includes data on plastic waste generation, waste management, waste trade, and pollution. It also provides an outlook on European plastic waste generation over the coming decades.

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Table of contents

Overview

4
  • Premium Statistic Global plastic production 1950-2023
  • Premium Statistic Plastic material production share worldwide 2023, by region
  • Premium Statistic Share of global plastic waste management 2019-2060, by method
  • Premium Statistic Mismanaged plastic waste shares worldwide 2019, by region

Generation

6
  • Premium Statistic Plastics production in Europe 1950-2023
  • Premium Statistic Plastics consumption share in Europe 2022, by sector
  • Premium Statistic Plastic packaging waste generation in the EU-27 2005-2022
  • Premium Statistic Per capita plastic packaging waste generation in the EU-27 2005-2022
  • Premium Statistic Plastic packaging waste generation in the EU-27 2022, by country
  • Premium Statistic Plastic packaging waste generation per capita in the EU-27 2022, by country

Waste management

6
  • Premium Statistic Post-consumer plastics waste treatment in Europe 2006-2022, by method
  • Premium Statistic Post-consumer plastics waste treatment share in Europe 2022, by type
  • Premium Statistic Plastic packaging waste treatment in Europe 2010-2022, by type
  • Premium Statistic Recycling rate of plastic packaging waste in the European Union 2010-2022
  • Premium Statistic Recycling rate of plastic packaging waste in the European Union 2010-2022, by country
  • Premium Statistic PET collection rates in Europe 2023, by country

Trade

6
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste trade value in the EU 2000-2023, by flow
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste exports from the European Union 2005-2023
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste exports from the European Union 2023, by destination
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste exports from the European Union 2015-2023, by destination
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste exports from the European Union EU-27 2023, by origin
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste imports in the EU 2005-2023

Pollution

5
  • Premium Statistic Number of illegal dumps containing plastic waste in Europe 2024, by country
  • Premium Statistic Number of waste items found along coastlines in Europe 2023, by type
  • Premium Statistic Number of waste items found along coastlines in Europe 2023, by country
  • Premium Statistic Support for banning non-recyclable plastics in Europe 2024, by country
  • Premium Statistic Support for banning single-use plastics in Europe 2024, by country

Outlook

3
  • Premium Statistic Projected plastic waste generation in the European Union 2019-2060
  • Premium Statistic Plastic waste generation per capita in the EU 2019-2060
  • Basic Statistic Recycling targets for packaging waste in the EU-27 2025-2030, by type
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