In 2024, 81.5 million tonnes of packaging waste were generated in the EU, or 181.0 kg per inhabitant. Packaging waste per capita increased by 3.2 kg compared with 2023, and by 19.6 kg compared with 2014.
Of all the packaging waste generated, 40.8% was paper and cardboard, 19.9% plastic, 18.1% glass, 16.2% wood, 4.8% metal and 0.2% other materials.
In 2024, an average of 35.9 kg of plastic packaging waste was generated per person in the EU, of which 15.3 kg was recycled. Both the plastic packaging waste that was generated and the amount recycled increased by 0.6 kg compared to 2023.
Between 2014 and 2024, the amount of total generated plastic packaging waste increased by 6.1 kg per capita, while the amount of recycled waste grew by 3.4 kg.
Source:
Eurostat, 22 October 2026