EU packaging waste statistics underscore the need for further reuse initiatives in the face of growing solid waste generation and stagnant recycling rates.
Eurostat recently published EU packaging waste statistics for 2010-2021, providing a detailed look at packaging waste across the European Union (EU) and selected non-EU countries. The report highlights trends in waste generation, recovery, and recycling while noting changes in calculation methods from 2020 onward that impact the comparability of data.
EU Packaging Waste Statistics: Key Findings
Packaging Waste Generation
In 2021, the EU generated an estimated 84.3 million tonnes of packaging waste, a 6% increase from 2020. This rise reflects a 19% increase in waste from wood packaging and a 3.9% increase in paper and cardboard waste. The total per capita generation reached 188.7 kg, up from 154 kg in 2010. The major types of packaging waste in 2021 were paper and cardboard (40.3%), plastic (19.0%), glass (18.5%), wood (17.1%), and metal (4.9%).
Trends Over Time
From 2010 to 2021, the EU saw a 24.2% increase in packaging waste, amounting to 16.4 million tonnes. The most significant growth was in wood packaging (32.7%), followed by plastic (29.9%) and paper and cardboard (23.5%). Despite this increase in overall waste, recycling rates have remained stable, with a recycling rate of 64% in 2020 and 2021, consistent with 2010.
Recycling and Recovery Rates
The recycling rate for packaging waste was 64% in 2021, maintaining the level seen in 2010 but falling short of the peak rate of 67.6% in 2016. The recovery rate, including incineration with energy recovery, reached 80% in 2021, slightly down from the highest rate of 81.7% in 2016. The EU’s recycling targets, as outlined in the Packaging Waste Directive, include a minimum of 60% recycling for glass and paper, 50% for metals, and 22.5% for plastics.
Wood Packaging Insights
Wood packaging, which includes items such as pallets, crates, and boxes, accounted for 17.1% of the total packaging waste in 2021. Wood is valued for its durability and renewability, with many companies focusing on sustainable forestry practices to reduce environmental impact. Wood packaging is also highly recyclable; wooden pallets, for example, are often repaired and reused, contributing to a circular economy. The processing and transportation of wood can have environmental impacts, but these are mitigated by the material’s renewable nature and the potential for carbon sequestration in forests. Innovations in wood packaging, such as engineered wood products and improved treatment technologies, are enhancing its sustainability.
Country-Specific Insights
There is considerable variation in packaging waste generation and recycling rates across EU countries. Ireland reported the highest per capita generation at 246.1 kg, while Croatia had the lowest at 73.8 kg. Germany led in recycling with 160.6 kg per inhabitant, followed by Italy at 160.4 kg, whereas Croatia had the lowest recycling rate at 37.5 kg per inhabitant. Belgium had the highest recovery rate (99.1%) and recycling rate (80.4%) among EU Member States.
Key Takeaways
- Increased Waste Generation: The EU has experienced a notable rise in packaging waste over the past decade, with significant increases in wood, paper and cardboard packaging, highlighting ongoing challenges in waste management.
- Stable Recycling Rates: Despite the rise in overall waste, recycling rates have remained relatively stable, indicating a need for improved recycling practices and adherence to targets.
- Wood Packaging’s Role: Wood packaging constitutes a significant portion of packaging waste and benefits from recycling and reuse practices. Innovations and sustainable practices in wood packaging contribute to its overall environmental performance, but it is essential to continue advancing these efforts.
These findings underscore the importance of comprehensively addressing packaging waste, focusing on enhancing recycling, expanding reuse where it makes sense and reducing environmental impacts across all packaging materials.
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
