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Europe’s circular plastics transition “ground to a halt,” warns industry report

A recent report by Plastics Europe has revealed that the transition to a circular plastic economy decreased “dramatically” in 2024. It outlines that, amid increasing global competition and weak investment opportunities, 15.8% of Europe’s total plastics production was circular. 

Europe is still exporting plastic waste because, today, it is often neither economically nor structurally viable to process it all within Europe. This is not a waste problem alone; it is a competitiveness and investment problem.

The report outlines that recycling rates in Europe have improved to 29.6%. However, Plastics Europe says that the “scale and complexity” of ensuring Europe’s recycling and circular economy succeeds “cannot be underestimated.”

The report states that over 70% of Europe’s collected plastic waste — a feedstock that could “reduce dependence on fossil resources” — was sent to incineration and landfill in 2024.

Europe’s circular plastics transition “ground to a halt,” warns industry report

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