Today, EU rules allow imported plastic waste to count toward Europe’s recycled-content targets.
This threatens local recycling jobs, undermines billions in investments, and weakens Europe’s circular economy.
We’re calling for a simple, fair fix: Only EU-generated plastic waste should count toward EU recycling and recycled-content targets.
Europe has built strong recycling capacity and created more than 300,000 jobs. But imported waste is replacing EU-collected plastics, leaving European recyclers without the materials they need.
If imported waste counts toward EU goals, Europe appears to be meeting its targets — while its own waste remains unprocessed. This is not true circularity.
Imported waste often comes with lower standards, lower costs, and less traceability. EU recyclers deserve a fair market.
European waste streams are monitored, verifiable, and held to strict environmental rules. This keeps Europe’s recycling safe, transparent, and trustworthy.
