Imported plastic waste is disrupting Europe’s recycling system — pushing aside locally collected materials and leaving high-quality European recyclate unused. In just two and a half years, around 45 recycling facilities have closed, most of them in the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany. Europe’s recycling future is at risk.
A simple breakdown of how Europe transforms plastic waste into valuable resources — and why keeping these materials local is essential for circularity.
Policy in Action
How EU legislation can make or break Europe’s recycling capacity — and why clear rules matter.
The Risk
What’s at stake if imported plastic counts toward EU recycling targets: market distortion, job losses, and declining recycling quality.