EU generated 79.7M tonnes of packaging waste in 2023 – says Eurostat

EUROPE – The European Union generated 79.7 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2023, according to new data released by Eurostat, equivalent to 177.8 kilograms per inhabitant.

Although this marks a slight reduction of 8.7 kg per person compared to 2022, the figure remains 21.2 kg higher than in 2013, underscoring the region’s ongoing challenge in curbing packaging waste growth.

Paper and cardboard made up the largest share of the total at 40.4%, followed by plastic (19.8%), glass (18.8%), wood (15.8%), metal (4.9%), and other materials (0.2%).

On average, each EU resident generated 35.3 kg of plastic packaging waste last year, of which just 14.8 kg was recycled. This translates to a recycling rate of 42.1% for plastic packaging, an improvement from 38.2% in 2013 but still below the EU’s long-term sustainability goals.

Eurostat’s data highlights persistent disparities among Member States. Belgium led the bloc with a 59.5% recycling rate, followed closely by Latvia (59.2%) and Slovakia (54.1%).

In contrast, Hungary (23.0%), France (25.7%), and Austria (26.9%) recorded the lowest plastic recycling rates, revealing uneven progress across the continent.

Environmental advocates, including the Rethink Plastic Alliance, have called for more aggressive measures to align with the EU’s 2030 circular economy targets.

Their recent report recommends stronger reuse mandates, accelerated adoption of deposit return schemes (DRS), and financial incentives to encourage consumer and corporate participation.

These steps, they argue, are essential to achieving the ambitions set out in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD).

Across Europe, several companies are responding with packaging innovations aimed at improving recyclability and reducing material use.

For instance, Mondelēz and DS Smith recently began testing paper-based tubs for Cadbury Heroes chocolates in the UK, while Unilever continues to scale refill and reuse trials for its home and personal care products.

Similarly, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has introduced 100% recycled PET bottles across multiple markets, contributing to material circularity efforts.

Beyond Europe, global initiatives such as the Zero Waste Himalaya Alliance have echoed similar concerns, highlighting the growing urgency of tackling single-use packaging waste.

The group’s latest cleanup campaign found that food and beverage packaging accounted for nearly 80% of plastic litter in the region, reinforcing the need for coordinated, data-driven waste reduction strategies worldwide.

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