According to Eurostat, 79.7 million tons of packaging waste were generated in the EU in 2023.

According to the European statistics authority, EU residents generated 177.8 kilograms of packaging waste per capita, which corresponds to a reduction of 8.7 kilograms per capita compared to 2022. Paper and cardboard accounted for the largest share of total packaging waste, at 32.3 million tons or 40.4 percent. According to the data, plastic packaging waste accounted for 15.8 million tons (19.8 percent), glass for 15.0 million tons (18.8 percent), and wood for 12.6 million tons (15.8 percent).
 
EU statisticians cite the following figures for plastic packaging waste: The amount of plastic waste generated fell by 1.0 kilogram compared to 2022, while the amount of recycled plastic waste increased by 0.1 kilogram. On average, each person living in the EU generated 35.3 kilograms of plastic packaging waste in 2023. Of this, 14.8 kilograms were recycled. Between 2013 and 2023, the amount of plastic packaging waste generated increased by 6.4 kilograms per capita, while the amount of waste recycled increased by 3.8 kilograms.
 
According to Eurostat, 42.1 percent of all plastic packaging waste generated in the EU was recycled in 2023, representing an increase in the recycling rate compared to 2013 (38.2 percent). Belgium had the highest recycling rate at 59.5 percent, followed by Latvia (59.2 percent), Slovakia (54.1 percent), Czechia (52.4 percent), and Germany (52.2 percent). Eurostat found the lowest rates in Hungary (23.0 percent), France (25.7 percent), and Austria (26.9 percent).
 
Sources:

• Eurostat press release (22.10.2025)
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