Although the amount of packaging waste has increased over the last decade, seven EU countries have managed to achieve the target of recycling at least 70% of all packaging waste by 2023, well ahead of the 2030 deadline.
According to the latest data from the EU Statistics Office Eurostat, more than 79 million tonnes of packaging waste were produced in the European Union in 2023.
Although this amount represents a decrease of 8.7 kilograms per person compared to 2022, it remained 21.2 kilograms higher than in 2013.
Paper and cardboard accounted for the largest share of total packaging waste in 26 EU member states, exceeding 40 per cent of the total in 14 of these countries.
In addition, 15.8 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste (19.8 per cent of the total), 15 million tonnes of glass (18.8 per cent) and 12.6 million tonnes of wood (15.8 per cent) were generated. The remaining packaging waste consisted of 3.9 million tonnes of metal (4.9 per cent) and 0.2 million tonnes of other materials (0.2 per cent).
Ireland, Italy, Germany and Luxembourg were among the countries producing more than 200 kilograms of packaging waste per capita.
However, despite their high waste volumes, these countries are also among those that recycle the most packaging waste per capita.
In 2023, Italy recycled the most packaging waste per capita in the EU, at 162.2 kilograms (kg). It was followed by Germany (149.3 kg), Luxembourg (132.4 kg) and Ireland (131.6 kg).
In contrast, Croatia (42.3 kg), Romania (48.5 kg) and Bulgaria (47.2 kg) were the EU countries that recycled the least packaging waste per capita.
Furthermore, Bulgaria and Croatia were recorded as the EU countries producing the least packaging waste per capita, with amounts calculated at less than 100 kilograms and 98.6 kilograms, respectively.
The EU is moving towards recycling targets
The European Union aims to recycle at least 70 per cent of all packaging waste by 2030.
However, the targets vary depending on the type and weight of the material used.
The EU has set recycling rates of at least 85 per cent for paper and cardboard, 75 per cent for glass, 55 per cent for plastic, 80 per cent for iron-based metals, 60 per cent for aluminium and 30 per cent for wood.
Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia and Spain are among the countries that have already achieved the 2030 target for recycling packaging waste.
In addition, 13 countries have exceeded a recycling rate of 60 per cent and are approaching the 70 per cent target.
On the other hand, Romania, Hungary, Malta and Greece reported total packaging recycling rates below 50 per cent in 2023.
Source: Euronews