Bruna Alves
Research lead covering environment and sustainability
Plastic waste in Europe - statistics & facts
More than 50 million tons of plastics are consumed every year in Europe. Over a third of this is in the form packaging, which is more often than not discarded after just one use. But it isn't just plastic packaging that Europeans are throwing out in large volumes. With plastic waste generation growing annually, and recycling rates failing to keep up, Europe has a long road ahead toward reaching the goal of a circular economy for plastics.
EU plastic waste exports sent for treatment outside of the bloc also count towards recycling rates. However, these shipments are often mismanaged due to a lack of proper infrastructure in importing countries. As a result, EU plastic waste exports have seen a continual decline in recent years, as a growing number of countries impose bans and restrictions on plastic waste imports.
With plastic waste generation set to grow and recycling rates stagnating, the EU has a big challenge ahead. Further regulations, quality standards, and economic incentives will all be critical factors in reaching plastic waste reduction targets in the coming decades.
How much plastic waste is generated in Europe?
The amount of plastic waste generated in the EU was estimated at 53 million metric tons in 2019, with this figure forecast to double by 2060, surpassing 100 million metric tons a year. Plastic packaging is of special concern, due to their sheer volume, short lifespan, and complex range of properties. In 2022, EU Member States generated more than 16 million metric tons of plastic packaging waste, a 30-percent growth in one decade. While Germany is the largest overall producer of plastic packaging waste in the region, with over three million tons in 2022, Ireland produces the most plastic packaging waste per person, at roughly 67 kilograms that year.Plastic waste treatment in Europe
Energy recovery remains the main method of post-consumer plastic waste treatment in Europe, accounting for roughly half of the material collected in 2022. The amount of plastic waste sent to landfills decreased consistently in the past decade, while the amount of plastics recycled more than doubled between 2006 and 2022, nearing nine million metric tons. Although the average recycling rate of plastic packaging waste in the EU saw some growth in the past decade, it remains well below 50 percent, the EU’s recycling target for 2025.EU plastic waste exports sent for treatment outside of the bloc also count towards recycling rates. However, these shipments are often mismanaged due to a lack of proper infrastructure in importing countries. As a result, EU plastic waste exports have seen a continual decline in recent years, as a growing number of countries impose bans and restrictions on plastic waste imports.
Tackling plastic waste in Europe
Plastic pollution is an urgent and growing problem that has become the focus of new policies and directives on the European continent. The EU has introduced the Single-use Plastics Directive, which includes a ban on several throwaway plastic products commonly found on European beaches. Meanwhile, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive sets a plastic packaging recycling target of 55 percent by 2030, and a minimum recycled content in plastic bottles. In addition, in November 2023, the EU agreed to ban plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries by 2026, although many countries are asking for a complete ban on exports.With plastic waste generation set to grow and recycling rates stagnating, the EU has a big challenge ahead. Further regulations, quality standards, and economic incentives will all be critical factors in reaching plastic waste reduction targets in the coming decades.
