Chloe Zhang
Plastic waste is a pressing issue in Europe, with only about 17% of plastic waste recycled in 2019. The EU has set a target of 55% plastic packaging waste recycled by 2030, with intermediate goals of 25% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025 and 30% by 2030. Europe's waste management systems vary widely, with northern and western Europe generally having better systems than southern and eastern Europe, where waste is more likely to be illegally landfilled and contaminate rivers and seas. The EU has also banned the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries, forcing Europe to tackle its waste burden. To achieve its ambitious targets, the EU is promoting a circular economy, where products are kept in use throughout their entire life cycle, and exploring new chemical technologies to improve recycling rates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of plastic recycled in Europe | 32.5% |
| Year | 2021 |
| Percentage of plastic waste that goes to landfill | 25% |
| Target percentage of plastic packaging waste to be recycled by 2030 | 55% |
| Target recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025 | 25% |
| Target recycled content in plastic bottles by 2030 | 30% |
| Percentage of plastic recycled in the EU in 2019 | 17% |
| Megatonnes of recycled plastic consumed by the European manufacturing industry in 2019 | 4.5 |
| Megatonnes of recycled plastic consumption target by 2025 | 6.47 |
| Megatonnes of plastic waste exported by the EU to non-EU countries in 2021 | 33 |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is incinerated | 32.5% |
| Percentage of plastic waste that is exported to non-EU countries | 50% |
| Megatonnes of plastic that entered soils, rivers, and oceans in 2019 | 22 |
| Percentage of global emissions that are from plastics in 2019 | 3.4% |
| Percentage of emissions from plastics that are from production and conversion from fossil fuels | 90% |
| Megatonnes of emissions from the plastics lifecycle projected by 2060 | 4.3 billion |
| Most used polymer in Europe in 2023 | Polypropylene (PP) |
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What You'll Learn
The EU's plastic waste export ban
In 2019, less than one-fifth of plastic waste in the EU was recycled, with an average waste recycling rate of around 17%. The EU has set a target of recycling 55% of plastic packaging waste by 2030. To achieve this, the EU has implemented various measures, including the restriction of lightweight plastic bags and taking action against microplastics.
The EU has also addressed the issue of plastic waste exports. Previously, a significant share of exported plastic waste was shipped to China. However, due to restrictions on plastic waste imports in China, the EU has had to explore alternative methods of managing its plastic waste. In 2024, the EU approved stricter requirements for waste shipments outside the EU, prohibiting plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries. This decision aims to prevent European waste from contributing to pollution in other regions and ensure that the EU retains control over the treatment of its plastic waste.
The ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries is a significant step towards reducing plastic pollution globally. However, some researchers have expressed disappointment that the ban does not include hazardous and mixed plastic waste exports to Turkey, which is the largest importer of plastic waste from the EU and an OECD member. The EU's decision to take responsibility for its plastic waste is expected to inspire international treaties on plastic pollution, such as the negotiations taking place at the United Nations.
The EU is committed to creating a circular economy by 2050, where less plastic is used, and the plastic that is needed is reused or recycled. To achieve this, the European Commission will introduce new requirements for recycled content in plastic and work with regulators, industry, and municipalities to make the shift to a circular plastic economy. The demand for recycled plastics is growing, and the EU is taking measures to stimulate the market for recycled plastic.
Overall, the EU's plastic waste export ban is a crucial step in addressing the region's plastic waste management issues and contributing to global efforts to reduce plastic pollution. By retaining control over its plastic waste and promoting circular economy principles, the EU aims to increase plastic recycling rates and reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste.
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Plastic recycling rates in Europe
The EU is taking measures to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates. In 2019, the EU adopted new rules to target plastic marine litter, including a 25% target for recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025 and 30% by 2030. The EU is also working to create a circular economy for plastics, with the aim of reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions. As part of this, the EU will ban a range of throwaway plastic items and create a comprehensive reuse system for all plastics.
The main issues complicating plastic recycling are the quality and price of the recycled product compared to its unrecycled counterpart. Plastic processors require large quantities of recycled plastic, manufactured to strictly controlled specifications, and at a competitive price. The diversity of raw materials used in plastics complicates the recycling process, making it costly and affecting the quality of the end product. As a result, there is rapidly growing demand for recycled plastics.
The quality of waste collection and sorting systems varies across Europe, with northern and western Europe generally having better waste systems than southern and eastern Europe. The EU is looking into measures to address environmental criminality, including equipping the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) to track waste.
The EU has also restricted the export of plastic waste to non-OECD countries, which will help to retain a "critical mass" of plastic waste in its internal market. Previously, a significant share of exported plastic waste was shipped to China, but restrictions on imports of plastic waste in China will likely decrease EU exports. This poses the risk of increased incineration and landfilling of plastic waste in Europe.
Overall, the EU is taking a range of actions to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling rates, with the aim of creating a circular economy for plastics by 2050.
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The EU's plastic waste reduction targets
The EU has adopted a European strategy for plastics, which is part of its circular economy action plan. This strategy aims to reduce plastic waste, protect the environment, and reduce marine litter, greenhouse gas emissions, and dependence on imported fossil fuels. The EU's plastic waste reduction targets include:
The Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD)
Adopted in 2019, the SUPD aims to prevent and reduce the environmental impact of certain plastic products and promote a transition to a circular economy. It introduces measures such as market restrictions, consumption reductions, marking requirements, mandatory recycled content, and separate collection and clean-up litter costs. The SUPD also includes restrictions on single-use plastic bags in the EU, which the European Parliament backed in 2015.
The Circular Economy Action Plan
The New Circular Economy Action Plan promotes the reduction of microplastic pollution and plastic waste for certain key products. It includes mandatory recyclability and recycled content requirements for plastics in packaging, automotive, and beverage bottles. The plan also addresses bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics, with new rules on port reception facilities to tackle marine litter.
The European Green Deal
The European Green Deal sets targets for improving the circularity of the plastics value chain. It includes the goal of recycling 55% of plastic packaging waste by 2030 and a restriction on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries. The deal also addresses the design for recyclability, stimulating the market for recycled plastic, and reducing the use of plastic packaging made from fossil fuels.
The European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy
This strategy aims to transform the way plastic products are designed, produced, used, and recycled in the EU. It includes new rules on packaging to improve the recyclability of plastics and increase the demand for recycled plastic content. The strategy also targets the issue of plastic marine litter, with a 25% target for recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive
The EU is working on revising the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive to align with its circular economy goals. This includes measures to reduce packaging weight and volume and promote reuse and refill regulations to reduce packaging waste.
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The demand for recycled plastic
Corporations are responding to this shift in consumer expectations. For example, Mars has committed to using 30% recycled plastic in its products by 2025, and 17 consumer-facing businesses have disclosed detailed targets in the 2020 Progress Report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Additionally, the demand for packed and takeout food has increased due to consumers spending more time on work, further boosting the demand for recycled plastic packaging solutions.
Regulations and policies aimed at reducing plastic pollution and promoting a circular economy are also contributing to the increased demand for recycled plastics. The European Commission is taking measures to address environmental criminality and illegal shipments of European waste, aiming to create a circular economy by 2050. The EU has also set targets to recycle 55% of plastic packaging waste by 2030 and to include 25% recycled content in plastic bottles by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
The growth of the construction industry, particularly in emerging economies such as Brazil, China, India, and Mexico, is expected to drive the demand for recycled plastics in manufacturing components such as insulation, fixtures, structural lumber, windows, and fences. The automotive industry is also using more plastic in electric vehicles to offset the weight of heavy batteries, which will increase the demand for recycled plastics in this sector.
However, challenges remain in meeting the growing demand for recycled plastic. The quality and price of recycled plastic compared to its unrecycled counterpart are major issues. Plastic processors require large quantities of recycled plastic manufactured to strict specifications and at a competitive price. The diversity of raw materials and the complexity of the recycling process affect the quality and cost of the end product. As a result, the supply channels for recycled plastic are currently inadequate to meet the growing demand.
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The challenges of plastic recycling
Plastic recycling is an important process that can help protect the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are several challenges that hinder the effectiveness of plastic recycling.
One major challenge is the lack of knowledge and improper industrial experience in plastic waste recycling. Different types of plastics have unique properties and degradation behaviours, and combining them during manufacturing processes makes recycling more difficult. This often results in plastics being incinerated or landfilled, wasting valuable resources. Improper industrial experience and a lack of expertise in plastic recycling technologies further complicate the process, creating hurdles for workers.
Another challenge is the variation in waste collection and sorting systems across Europe. The quality and efficiency of waste collection and sorting depend on the region, with northern and western Europe generally having better systems than southern and eastern Europe. Improving waste collection and sorting is crucial to ensure recyclers have enough plastic to process. Additionally, there is a lack of recycled plastics available, making it challenging for manufacturers to meet targets for recycled plastic use.
The diversity of raw materials used in plastics also poses a challenge. Plastics are easily customised to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of manufacturers, but this diversity complicates the recycling process, affecting the quality and cost of the end product. As virgin raw materials are sometimes cheaper, finding the added value of recycled plastic is essential to encourage its use.
Furthermore, many products are designed in ways that make it difficult to separate and recycle plastic content. For example, different plastic types may be combined, or plastics may be bonded with other materials such as glue or metal screws. Considering recycling at the design stage can help create products that are easier to disassemble and recycle.
To overcome these challenges, collaboration is key. It requires a holistic approach involving regulators, municipalities, and industry innovation. Educating manufacturers and workers about different types of plastics, their properties, and recycling processes can improve expertise and skill levels. Additionally, creating awareness and providing organised employment opportunities for waste pickers can help improve the plastic recycling process.
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Frequently asked questions
Less than one-fifth of plastic waste, or around 17%, was recycled in the EU in 2019.
The EU is taking several measures to improve plastic recycling rates, including:
- Banning single-use plastic products
- Creating a circular economy by 2050, where less plastic is used, and the plastic that is used is reused or recycled
- Developing chemical technologies to handle more types of plastic waste
- Implementing the Green Deal, which includes a target of recycling 55% of plastic packaging waste by 2030
- Restricting exports of plastic waste to non-OECD countries
Some challenges to recycling plastic in Europe include:
- The quality and price of recycled plastic compared to non-recycled plastic
- The diversity of plastic types, which makes the recycling process costly and affects the quality of the end product
- The lack of standardised waste collection and sorting systems across Europe, with Southern and Eastern Europe having less effective waste systems than Northern and Western Europe
- The export of plastic waste to non-EU countries, which has led to environmental crimes in those regions
Plastic waste is a significant issue in Europe, with 85% of the continent's saltwater beaches and seas exceeding pollution standards on marine litter. The Mediterranean Sea is the most polluted, with an average of 274 pieces of plastic refuse found per 100 meters of shoreline. Microplastics have also turned coastal waters into toxic "plastic soups." In 2019, plastics generated 1.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, and plastic leakage is projected to double by 2060.
The EU has implemented various measures to reduce plastic waste, including:
- Banning a host of throwaway plastic items
- Working to create a lucrative market for recycled plastics
- Adopting extended producer responsibility schemes, where companies are responsible for the full cost of the collection, transportation, recycling, or incineration of their products
- Restricting exports of plastic waste to developing countries, such as Malaysia, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia
