Brussels,

Plastics​

• Almost 26 million tonnes of plastic waste is generated in Europe every year
  
• Around 80% of marine litter is plastic
  
• 87% of Europeans are worried about the impact of plastic products on the environment

​Plastics producers benefit from its customers’ industries such as the packaging sector which stands for almost 40% of the total demand. Building & construction with around 20% of total demand. Automotive sector with nearly 9%.  The European country with the highest demand is Germany with approximately 25%, followed by Italy with over 14% and France with almost 10%.   ​

​The EU is taking action to tackle plastic pollution and marine litter to accelerate the transition to a circular and resource-efficient plastics economy. Specific rules and targets apply to certain areas, including single-use plastics, plastic packaging, microplastics, and soon bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.

The EU’s plastics strategy, as part of the circular economy action plan, outlines specific actions in more detail.

Objectives

EU aims to protect the environment and human health by reducing marine litter, greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on imported fossil fuels:

• transform the way plastic products are designed, produced, used and recycled in the EU
• transition to a sustainable plastics economy
• support more sustainable and safer consumption and production patterns for plastics
• create new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness and jobs 
• spur change and set an example at the global level

Strategy

the EU's plastics strategy is designed to promote a shift towards a sustainable, circular economy where plastic design, production, and disposal align with environmental and health standards.
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Waste import restrictions in China have shifted exports to other countries and oblige the members of the European Union to take care more of their waste. In addition, some types of plastic waste have been added to the United Nations Basel Convention. 

Therefore, the option of exporting plastic waste is becoming increasingly difficult. This requires policymakers, business and other actors to build a more robust and circular economy for plastic in Europe.

The EU's strategy on plastics, introduced as part of the EU's transition towards a more circular economy, focuses on reducing plastic waste and promoting plastic recycling. Key aspects of the strategy include:

1. Improving Recycling Rates: The strategy aims to increase the recycling of plastic packaging, with a target that all plastic packaging should be recyclable by 2030.
2. Reducing Single-Use Plastics: There is a strong emphasis on reducing the consumption of single-use plastics. Specific directives have been implemented to ban or restrict the use of certain single-use plastic products.
3. Innovations in Plastics: The strategy encourages the development and use of innovative materials that can replace conventional plastics and improve the recyclability of plastic products.
4. Preventing Waste and Littering: Measures are included to reduce plastic waste and prevent plastic litter from reaching the oceans.
5. Global Actions: The EU aims to lead international efforts in tackling plastic pollution and promoting global standards for plastics recycling and use. 

Specific policies

Biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics
​The EU is addressing the sourcing, labelling and use of bio-based plastics, and the use of biodegradable and compostable plastics.

Global action on plastics
​The EU is paving the way for a global agreement on plastics, to support the global shift towards a circular economy.

Microplastics
​The EU aims to address the growing volume of microplastics in the environment.

Plastic bags
EU rules on plastic bags to address the unsustainable consumption and use of lightweight plastic carrier bags.

Plastic packaging
EU rules on packaging and packaging waste cover all materials, including plastics.

Plastic waste shipments
EU rules on importing and exporting plastic waste.

Single-use plastics
EU rules on single-use plastics (SUPs) to fight against marine litter and plastic pollution.

EU Legislation on Plastics & Case Law

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