Packaging Waste in the EU: Trends, Recycling, and Policy Implications
The question of reducing packaging waste points to the moment when products are created as the source of plastic pollution. In 2021, the European Union produced 188.7 kilograms of packaging waste per capita, up 10.8 kilograms from the previous year. Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, highlights this as the largest per‑person increase in a decade.
In total, the EU generated 84 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2021. About 40.3% was paper and cardboard, 19% plastic, 18.5% glass, 17.1% wood, and 4.9% metal. This distribution shows where the pressure is most acute and where improvement efforts can have the greatest impact [Eurostat 2021].
Images from the Spanish coast illustrate a visible consequence of rising packaging waste, with plastic containers piling up as a reminder of ongoing environmental challenges.
Eurostat notes that the rise is linked to packaging being present in almost every aspect of daily life, from shopping bags to online parcels and disposable coffee cups from cafés and takeaways.
Plastics Increased by 4%
Among common containers, plastic is the most environmentally harmful option. The production of plastic packaging waste averaged 35.9 kilograms per person in the EU, reflecting a 4% increase from 2020. Yet there is a parallel story: the per‑person amount recycled rose by 1.4 kilograms, marking a 9.5% improvement year over year.
From 2011 to 2021, plastic packaging waste per person rose by 26.7% (an increase of 7.6 kilograms per person). The recycling rate, however, climbed by 38.1% (about 3.9 kilograms per person), signaling that recycling practices are expanding alongside waste generation [Eurostat 2021].
Plastic remains a pervasive presence in the environment, and recycling rates in 2021 recovered to 39.7% after a dip to 37.6% in 2020. This rebound indicates the positive effect of renewed recycling initiatives and policy focus on plastics.
At Most, Only Half of the Plastic Is Recycled
Despite progress, plastic tends to persist as long‑lasting waste. The recycling rate varies by country, with some nations achieving near‑half recycling levels in 2021. Slovenia reached about 50%, Belgium near 49.2%, and the Netherlands around 48.9% of plastic packaging waste recycled in that year. In contrast, Spain recycled 45.7% of its plastic packaging waste.
Malta and France reported rates around 20%–23%, while Sweden stood at roughly 24%. These country differences illustrate how national policies, infrastructure, and consumer behavior shape outcomes for plastic recycling.
Experts advocate the adoption of a Return, Deposit, and Refund service (RDR) for packaging to improve recovery rates and reduce waste under current collection systems. Such programs aim to ensure funds and incentives align with recycling goals, encouraging more efficient handling of packaging materials.
Further reporting and analyses from environmental agencies emphasize the need for consistent, EU‑wide measures that support recycling, reduce packaging waste at the source, and promote sustainable alternatives where feasible.
To learn more about these trends and their implications for policy and everyday life, readers can consult official Eurostat releases and government environmental dashboards for country‑specific data and timelines [Eurostat 2021].