RECYCLING IN EUROPE

The EU is a trendsetter and a strong advocate for environmental protection worldwide. It has one of the most ambitious waste legislation in the world.
Explore the timeline below to learn more about plastic recycling in Europe.

Looking ahead

Clean Industrial Deal

(2024 - 2029) Supports the competitiveness of the EU's industry while keeping up with the implementation of decarbonization efforts set during the Green Deal.

Green Claims Directive

To make green claims reliable and protect consumers from greenwashing.

Microplastics Regulation

To address the issue of unintentional microplastic releases through harmonized risk management measures.

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

Sets targets recycled content in plastic packaging and introduces Recyclability Performance Grade (A,B,C) for 2030.

2024

Revision of the industrial emissions directive

Sets stricter emissions limit values and more stringent conditions on derogations and extends the scope to waste landfills

Revised Regulation on Waste Shipment

Sets export bans to ensure that EU waste stays in Europe, and strengthens the traceability of waste to prevent illegal shipments.

Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)

Sets requirements for the design of products to improve recyclability and increase recycled content.

2023

Carbon border adjustment mechanism

Sets a price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon-intensive goods that are imported into the EU by 2026.

New batteries regulation

Sets collection, reusability, recyclability and recycled content targets for batteries.

Revision of the EU Emissions Trade System

Sets a separate trading system covering fuel combustion in buildings, road transport and additional sectors.

2022

NEW REGULATION ON FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS

Sets requirements for recycling of plastic intended for contact with food, and introduces novel and suitable recycling technology status.

2021

Single-use plastics directive

Implementation
SINGLE-USE PLASTICS DIRECTIVE

Green Taxonomy

Rules on supporting sustainable & green financing

2020

Green Taxonomy

NEW CIRCULAR ECONOMY PACKAGE

Sets goal for all packaging to be reusable or recyclable by 2030
NEW CIRCULAR ECONOMY PACKAGE

2019

SINGLE-USE PLASTICS DIRECTIVE

Sets target for plastic beverage bottles: 90% collection by 2029 and 30% mandatory recycled content by 2030

CIRCULAR PLASTICS ALLIANCE

Launched to aid industry in accelerating the creation of EU market for recycled plastics via the uptake of 10 Mt by 2025

EU GREEN DEAL

Sets an objective to make Europe’s economy greener

2018

CIRCULAR ECONOMY PACKAGE

Fixing a new target of 55% recycling for plastic packaging waste by 2030

A EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR PLASTICS IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Holistic approach to improve economics and quality of plastics recycling & curbing marine litter

2013

GREEN PAPER ON A EUROPEAN STRATEGY ON PLASTIC WASTE IN THE ENVIRONMENT

2011

ROADMAP TO A RESOURCE EFFICIENT EUROPE

ROADMAP TO A RESOURCE EFFICIENT EUROPE

1994

PACKAGING AND PACKAGING WASTE DIRECTIVE

PACKAGING AND PACKAGING WASTE DIRECTIVE

1975

WASTE FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE

WASTE FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE

Future of Plastics Recycling