Compared with 2021, this represents a decrease of 3.6 kg per inhabitant, but an increase of 31.7 kg compared with 2012.
Out of all the packaging waste generated in the EU, 41% were paper and cardboard, 19% was plastic, 19% glass, 16% wood and 5% metal.
In 2022, an average of 36.1 kg of plastic packaging waste was generated for each person living in the EU and out of this, 14.7 kg were recycled. Between 2012 and 2022, the amount of generated plastic packaging waste increased by 7.6 kg per capita, while the recycled amount increased by 4.0 kg.
In 2022, the EU recycled 41% of all the generated plastic packaging waste, indicating a slight increase compared with 2012 when the rate stood at 38%.
Slovakia recorded the highest recycling rate at 60%, followed by Belgium (54%), Germany and Slovenia (both 51%).
In contrast, the lowest rates were recorded in Malta, where 16% of the plastic packaging waste was recycled, followed by Denmark (23%), France and Austria (both 25%).
