# Sustainable Packaging Statistics 2026: Waste, Recycling and Plastic Tax Data

Updated 2026-11-08. Checked by StatisticsGlobal editorial team. Official statistics from Eurostat, Defra, HM Revenue & Customs, the US EPA and the OECD, 5 publishers.
Canonical: https://statisticsglobal.org/sustainable-packaging-statistics/

The EU generated 81.5 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2024, or 181.0 kg per person, and recycled 67.0% of it, according to Eurostat. That is 3.0 points short of the 2030 target of 70%. Plastic is the weak spot. The EU recycled 42.4% of plastic packaging, against 85.3% for paper and cardboard. The UK recycled 70.5% of its packaging in 2025, provisional Defra figures show. The latest US figure is 53.9%, from 2018. Worldwide, packaging made up 40% of plastic waste in 2019, according to the OECD.

## Key statistics

- The EU recycled 67.0% of its packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat.
- The EU recycled 42.4% of its plastic packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat.
- The EU packaging recycling rate was 3.0 percentage points short of the 2030 target of 70% in 2024, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Eurostat data.
- The UK recycled 70.5% of its packaging waste in 2025, according to provisional Defra figures.
- Packaging made up 40% of the world's plastic waste in 2019, according to the OECD.

## Packaging waste statistics by country

Eurostat collects packaging waste data from every EU country under the Packaging Waste Directive. The latest year is 2024, published in October 2026.

The EU generated 81.5 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2024. Each person produced 181.0 kg, up 3.2 kg on 2023. Over the longer run the trend is up. Packaging waste per person rose 9.4% between 2015 and 2024.

Recycling has not kept pace. The EU recycled 67.0% of its packaging waste in 2024, slightly below 67.4% in 2023. Six countries already beat the 2030 target of 70%, led by Belgium at 83.2%. Malta recycled 44.5%, a gap of 38.7 points to Belgium.

High waste and high recycling can go together. Italy and Germany generate more than 200 kg per person, yet both recycle more per person than any other EU country. Countries with the least packaging waste, such as Croatia, also recycle the least per person.

- The EU generated 81.5 million tonnes of packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Each EU inhabitant generated 181.0 kg of packaging waste on average in 2024, up 3.2 kg on 2023, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Packaging waste per EU inhabitant rose 9.4% between 2015 and 2024, from 165.5 kg to 181.0 kg, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Eurostat data. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste by waste management operations (env_waspac) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspac/default/table?lang=en
- The EU recycled 67.0% of its packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Six EU countries already recycled more than the 2030 target of 70% of packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Belgium had the highest packaging recycling rate in the EU at 83.2% in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Malta recycled 44.5% of its packaging waste in 2024, among the lowest rates in the EU, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Belgium recycled 38.7 percentage points more of its packaging waste than Malta in 2024, 83.2% against 44.5%, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Eurostat data. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Italy generated the most packaging waste per person in the EU, 221.2 kg per inhabitant in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics

Table: Packaging recycling rate and packaging waste per person, selected EU countries, 2024

| Country | Recycling rate | Waste per person (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 83.2% | 169.3 |
| Czechia (provisional) | 77.5% | 127.5 |
| Italy | 76.4% | 221.2 |
| Slovenia | 75.6% | 140.4 |
| Netherlands | 75.4% | 165.9 |
| Spain | 74.6% | 194.4 |
| Germany | 69.4% | 214.7 |
| France | 68.4% | 173.1 |
| EU-27 | 67.0% | 181.0 |
| Ireland | 63.2% | 220.9 |
| Poland (provisional) | 61.0% | 180.4 |
| Denmark | 56.0% | 197.1 |
| Finland (provisional) | 55.4% | 169.6 |
| Greece (provisional) | 47.1% | 116.9 |
| Malta | 44.5% | 194.2 |

Source: Eurostat, env_waspacr (recycling rates, 2025 target method) and env_waspac (waste generated per inhabitant).

## Packaging recycling rates by material

Recycling rates differ far more by material than by country. Paper, glass and metal recycle well in the EU, the UK and the US. Plastic and wood do not.

Paper and cardboard is both the largest and one of the best recycled packaging materials. It made up 40.8% of EU packaging waste in 2024, and 85.3% of it was recycled. In the US, 96.5% of corrugated boxes were recycled in 2018.

Glass shows the biggest transatlantic gap. The EU and UK both recycled 75.1% of glass packaging, while the US recycled 31.3% of glass containers in 2018. Most US glass packaging, 55.4%, went to landfill.

Wood is the other weak material. The EU recycled 39.5% of wooden packaging in 2024. The UK rate fell from 51.7% in 2024 to 43.7% in 2025, the largest drop of any material in the provisional figures.

- Paper and cardboard made up 40.8% of EU packaging waste in 2024, or 33.2 million tonnes, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- The EU recycled 85.3% of its paper and cardboard packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging (env_waspacr) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr/default/table?lang=en
- The EU recycled 75.1% of its glass packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging (env_waspacr) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr/default/table?lang=en
- The EU recycled 59.3% of its aluminium packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging (env_waspacr) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr/default/table?lang=en
- The EU recycled 39.5% of its wooden packaging waste in 2024, the lowest rate of any main material, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging (env_waspacr) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr/default/table?lang=en
- The UK recycled 80.3% of its paper and cardboard packaging in 2025, according to provisional Defra figures. Source: Defra, UK statistics on waste (Updated 23 September 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
- The UK recycled 43.7% of its wooden packaging in 2025, down from 51.7% in 2024, according to provisional Defra figures. Source: Defra, UK statistics on waste (Updated 23 September 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
- The US recycled 96.5% of its corrugated boxes in 2018, according to the US EPA. Source: US EPA, Containers and Packaging: Product-Specific Data (Accessed 8 November 2026 (2018 data, latest edition)) https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/containers-and-packaging-product-specific

Table: Packaging recycling rate by material, EU 2024, UK 2025 and US 2018

| Material | EU (2024) | UK (2025, provisional) | US (2018) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All packaging | 67.0% | 70.5% | 53.9% |
| Paper and cardboard | 85.3% | 80.3% | 80.9% |
| Glass | 75.1% | 75.1% | 31.3% |
| Steel | 86.1% | 88.5% | 73.8% |
| Aluminium | 59.3% | 61.1% | n/a |
| Plastic | 42.4% | 57.3% | 13.6% |
| Wood | 39.5% | 43.7% | n/a |

Sources: Eurostat env_waspacr; Defra, UK statistics on waste, Table 5; US EPA, Containers and Packaging: Product-Specific Data. The US does not publish a single aluminium or wood packaging rate on this page. Years and methods differ.

## Plastic packaging waste statistics

Plastic is the material furthest behind its target. The EU must recycle 55% of plastic packaging by 2030.

Packaging is the biggest single source of plastic waste. The OECD found that packaging made up 40% of the world's 353 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019, or about 141 million tonnes. Only 9% of all plastic waste was recycled.

The EU generated 16.2 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste in 2024 and recycled 42.4%. That is 12.6 points short of the 2030 target. Plastic packaging per person grew 16.6% between 2015 and 2024, faster than packaging overall. Only Latvia, Belgium and Poland already meet the 55% target.

The UK reported 57.3% for 2025, 14.9 points above the EU rate. The US figure of 13.6% is far lower, but it dates from 2018 and uses a different method. The three numbers show direction, not a precise ranking.

- Packaging made up 40% of the world's plastic waste in 2019, according to the OECD. Source: OECD, Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options (policy highlights) (February 2022) https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2022/02/global-plastics-outlook_a653d1c9/Global%20Plastics%20Outlook%20I.pdf
- Packaging accounted for 31% of global plastics use in 2019, ahead of construction at 17%, according to the OECD. Source: OECD, Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options (policy highlights) (February 2022) https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2022/02/global-plastics-outlook_a653d1c9/Global%20Plastics%20Outlook%20I.pdf
- Plastic packaging produced about 141 million tonnes of the world's plastic waste in 2019, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from OECD data. Source: OECD, Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options (policy highlights) (February 2022) https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2022/02/global-plastics-outlook_a653d1c9/Global%20Plastics%20Outlook%20I.pdf
- The world generated 353 million tonnes of plastic waste in 2019, more than double the 156 million tonnes of 2000, according to the OECD. Source: OECD, Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options (policy highlights) (February 2022) https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2022/02/global-plastics-outlook_a653d1c9/Global%20Plastics%20Outlook%20I.pdf
- Only 9% of the world's plastic waste was recycled in 2019, while 22% was mismanaged, according to the OECD. Source: OECD, Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options (policy highlights) (February 2022) https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2022/02/global-plastics-outlook_a653d1c9/Global%20Plastics%20Outlook%20I.pdf
- The EU generated 16.2 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste in 2024, 19.9% of all packaging waste, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- The EU recycled 42.4% of its plastic packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging (env_waspacr) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr/default/table?lang=en
- The EU plastic packaging recycling rate was 12.6 percentage points short of the 2030 target of 55% in 2024, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Eurostat data. Source: Eurostat, Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging (env_waspacr) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr/default/table?lang=en
- Plastic packaging waste per EU inhabitant rose 16.6% between 2015 and 2024, from 30.8 kg to 35.9 kg, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Eurostat data. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste by waste management operations (env_waspac) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspac/default/table?lang=en
- Latvia recycled 71.0% of its plastic packaging waste in 2024, the highest rate in the EU, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Denmark recycled 22.5% of its plastic packaging waste in 2024, the lowest rate in the EU, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- The UK recycled 57.3% of its plastic packaging waste in 2025, up from 53.5% in 2024, according to provisional Defra figures. Source: Defra, UK statistics on waste (Updated 23 September 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
- The UK plastic packaging recycling rate of 57.3% in 2025 was 14.9 points above the EU rate of 42.4% in 2024, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Defra and Eurostat data. Source: Defra, UK statistics on waste (Updated 23 September 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
- The US recycled 13.6% of its plastic containers and packaging in 2018, almost 2 million tons, according to the US EPA. Source: US EPA, Containers and Packaging: Product-Specific Data (Accessed 8 November 2026 (2018 data, latest edition)) https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/containers-and-packaging-product-specific
- The EU recycled plastic packaging at 3.1 times the US rate, 42.4% in 2024 against 13.6% in 2018, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Eurostat and US EPA data. Source: Eurostat, Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging (env_waspacr) (Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr/default/table?lang=en

Table: Plastic packaging waste generated and recycled per person, EU-27, 2015 to 2024, kg

| Year | Generated | Recycled |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 30.8 | 12.5 |
| 2016 | 31.6 | 13.4 |
| 2017 | 32.7 | 13.6 |
| 2018 | 33.3 | 13.8 |
| 2019 | 34.2 | 14.1 |
| 2020 | 34.6 | 13.0 |
| 2021 | 36.4 | 14.5 |
| 2022 | 36.3 | 14.7 |
| 2023 | 35.3 | 14.7 |
| 2024 | 35.9 | 15.3 |

Source: Eurostat, env_waspac. Recycled tonnages follow the reporting rules of each year, so they are not on the same basis as the 2024 target-method rate of 42.4%.

## UK packaging recycling and Plastic Packaging Tax

The UK taxes plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content. The tax started on 1 April 2022. Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility began on 1 January 2025.

The UK recycled 70.5% of its packaging in 2025, on provisional figures, down from 73.2% in 2024. Defra notes that the 2024 rate was revised after late data, and the 2025 rate may move too. Packaging waste arisings were 11.06 million tonnes.

The tax data suggests the incentive is working, though slowly. About half of declared plastic packaging now has at least 30% recycled content, up from 37.6% in the first year. Taxable tonnage fell 20.9% over the same period.

Revenue is shrinking as a result. The tax raised £250 million in 2025 to 2026, down 4%, even though the rate rose to £223.69 per tonne. For how UK shoppers buy online, which drives much of this packaging, see our [UK ecommerce statistics](https://statisticsglobal.org/uk-ecommerce-statistics/).

- UK packaging waste arisings were 11.06 million tonnes in 2025, according to provisional Defra figures. Source: Defra, UK statistics on waste (Updated 23 September 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
- The UK recycled 70.5% of its packaging waste in 2025, according to provisional Defra figures. Source: Defra, UK statistics on waste (Updated 23 September 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
- The UK recycled 73.2% of its packaging waste in 2024, according to Defra. Source: Defra, UK statistics on waste (Updated 23 September 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
- The UK packaging recycling rate fell 2.7 percentage points from 73.2% in 2024 to 70.5% in 2025, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Defra data. Source: Defra, UK statistics on waste (Updated 23 September 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
- Plastic Packaging Tax raised £250 million in the UK in financial year 2025 to 2026, down 4% on the year before, according to HM Revenue & Customs. Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) statistics commentary (Updated 27 August 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics-commentary
- The UK had 5,142 businesses registered for Plastic Packaging Tax as of 13 August 2026, according to HM Revenue & Customs. Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) statistics commentary (Updated 27 August 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics-commentary
- UK businesses declared 2.97 million tonnes of plastic packaging manufactured or imported in financial year 2025 to 2026, according to HM Revenue & Customs. Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) statistics commentary (Updated 27 August 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics-commentary
- Only 37% of plastic packaging declared in the UK in financial year 2025 to 2026 was taxable under Plastic Packaging Tax, according to HM Revenue & Customs. Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) statistics commentary (Updated 27 August 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics-commentary
- About 50.7% of plastic packaging declared in the UK in financial year 2025 to 2026 had at least 30% recycled content, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from HMRC data. Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) statistics commentary (Updated 27 August 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics-commentary
- Taxable plastic packaging declared in the UK fell 20.9% between financial years 2022 to 2023 and 2025 to 2026, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from HMRC data. Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) statistics commentary (Updated 27 August 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics-commentary
- Plastic Packaging Tax was charged at £223.69 per tonne in the UK in financial year 2025 to 2026, according to HM Revenue & Customs. Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) statistics commentary (Updated 27 August 2026) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics-commentary

Table: UK plastic packaging declared under Plastic Packaging Tax, thousand tonnes, by financial year

| Financial year | Total declared | Taxable | 30% or more recycled content | Recycled-content share of total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 to 2023 | 3,433 | 1,399 | 1,290 | 37.6% |
| 2023 to 2024 | 3,008 | 1,255 | 1,400 | 46.5% |
| 2024 to 2025 | 3,138 | 1,194 | 1,569 | 50.0% |
| 2025 to 2026 | 2,970 | 1,107 | 1,506 | 50.7% |

Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax statistics commentary, Tables 1 to 3. Recycled-content share calculated by StatisticsGlobal.

## Plastic bags and reusable packaging

The EU also tracks two smaller measures of sustainable packaging, plastic carrier bag use and reusable packaging placed on the market.

Each EU resident used 66 lightweight plastic carrier bags in 2024. That is 30.5% fewer than in 2018, but the figure rose slightly from 64 in 2023. The EU target is fewer than 40 bags per person by 2025.

Use varies fiftyfold between countries. Belgium reported 4 bags per person and Latvia 204. Eurostat says part of the gap may come from different counting methods.

Reuse data is new and patchy. Countries have reported reusable packaging only since 2021. Finland put 37.6 kg of reusable packaging per person on the market in 2024, the most in the EU. For packaging that comes back from shoppers, see our [ecommerce returns statistics](https://statisticsglobal.org/ecommerce-returns-statistics/).

- Each EU inhabitant used 66 lightweight plastic carrier bags on average in 2024, up from 64 in 2023, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Lightweight plastic carrier bag use per EU inhabitant fell 30.5% between 2018 and 2024, from 95 to 66 bags, calculated by StatisticsGlobal from Eurostat data. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
- Finland put 37.6 kg of reusable packaging per inhabitant on the market for the first time in 2024, the highest in the EU, according to Eurostat. Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained) (Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026) https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics

Table: Lightweight plastic carrier bags used per person, selected EU countries, 2024

| Country | Bags per person |
|---|---|
| Belgium | 4 |
| Poland | 8 |
| Portugal | 11 |
| Austria | 17 |
| Netherlands | 23 |
| Germany | 27 |
| France | 44 |
| EU average | 66 |
| Lithuania | 173 |
| Czechia | 199 |
| Latvia | 204 |

Source: Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained). The EU target is fewer than 40 bags per person by 2025.

## How the sources measure packaging waste

Eurostat compiles data that EU countries report under the Packaging Waste Directive. Recycling rates follow the calculation rules for the 2025 and later targets. Some countries send provisional, estimated or older data, and Eurostat flags these. The EU figures for 2023 and 2024 carry a flag asking readers to check the metadata.

Defra divides packaging recycled under UK producer responsibility rules by packaging placed on the market. From 2024 the market data comes from the new Reported Packaging Data system. The 2025 figures are provisional and were revised in past years.

HMRC data comes from Plastic Packaging Tax returns. Only firms that make or import over 10 tonnes of plastic packaging in 12 months must declare. HMRC does not collect recycled content for exported or medicine packaging.

The US EPA estimates packaging waste with a materials flow model built on industry production data. Its latest edition covers 2018. The OECD figures come from its Global Plastics Outlook model with a 2019 base year. A widely shared claim that half of plastic waste is packaging conflicts with the OECD's 40%, so we use the OECD figure. Paid market size reports and vendor consumer surveys are not included.


## Frequently asked questions

### What percentage of packaging is recycled in Europe?

The EU recycled 67.0% of its packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Belgium had the highest rate at 83.2%. Paper and cardboard reached 85.3%, but plastic only 42.4%.

### Is packaging recycling improving?

Not much. The EU rate slipped from 67.4% in 2023 to 67.0% in 2024, and the UK rate fell from 73.2% in 2024 to 70.5% in 2025 on provisional figures. Packaging waste per EU person rose 9.4% between 2015 and 2024.

### How much plastic waste is packaging?

Packaging made up 40% of the world's plastic waste in 2019, according to the OECD. That is about 141 million tonnes, calculated by StatisticsGlobal.

### Which country recycles the most packaging?

In the EU, Belgium recycled 83.2% of its packaging waste in 2024, according to Eurostat. Czechia, Italy, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Spain also beat 70%.

### How does the US compare with the UK and EU?

The latest US figure shows 53.9% of containers and packaging recycled in 2018, according to the US EPA. That is below the EU (67.0% in 2024) and the UK (70.5% in 2025). The years differ.

### Will the EU meet its 2030 packaging targets?

It is close overall, 3.0 points short of 70% in 2024. Plastic is the problem. The EU rate of 42.4% is 12.6 points below the 55% target for 2030.

## Sources

1. Eurostat, Packaging waste statistics (Statistics Explained), Data extracted 16 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Packaging_waste_statistics
2. Eurostat, Recycling rates of packaging waste for monitoring compliance with policy targets, by type of packaging (env_waspacr), Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspacr/default/table?lang=en
3. Defra, UK statistics on waste, Updated 23 September 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-waste-data/uk-statistics-on-waste
4. OECD, Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options (policy highlights), February 2022. https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/support-materials/2022/02/global-plastics-outlook_a653d1c9/Global%20Plastics%20Outlook%20I.pdf
5. Eurostat, Packaging waste by waste management operations (env_waspac), Dataset updated 21 October 2026, accessed 8 November 2026. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/env_waspac/default/table?lang=en
6. US EPA, Containers and Packaging: Product-Specific Data, Accessed 8 November 2026 (2018 data, latest edition). https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/containers-and-packaging-product-specific
7. HM Revenue & Customs, Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) statistics commentary, Updated 27 August 2026. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics/plastic-packaging-tax-ppt-statistics-commentary