European Union packaging waste reaches 81.5 million tonnes

According to data from Eurostat, the European Union generated approximately 81.5 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2024. This averages to 181 kilograms per inhabitant, marking an increase of 3.2 kilograms per person compared to 2023 and 19.6 kilograms compared to 2014.

Paper and cardboard accounted for the largest share of waste at 40.8%, followed by plastic at 19.9%, glass at 18.1%, wood at 16.2%, and metal at 4.8%. On average, each person in the EU generated 35.9 kilograms of plastic packaging waste, of which 15.3 kilograms were recycled.

The overall plastic packaging recycling rate in the EU was 42.4% in 2024, a slight increase from 41.6% in 2023. Member states showed significant variation in recycling performance: Latvia reported the highest rate at 71%, while Denmark recorded the lowest at 22.5%. Other notable rates included Belgium at 58.2%, Poland at 56%, Finland at 26.9%, and France at 27.4%.