Europe’s recycling efforts are at a critical crossroads.

What's the issue?

Europe has invested heavily in recycling infrastructure — creating more than 300,000 jobs and building one of the strongest circular economies in the world. Yet an unintended consequence of the current regulatory framework allows imported plastic waste to count toward Europe’s recycling and recycled-content targets. This is placing Europe’s recycling sector at risk.

Circular Plastics Made in Europe means:

Plastics that are designed for recycling, and are collected, sorted and recycled within Europe (EU27+EFTA+UK), following circular economy principles to minimise waste, reduce reliance on virgin materials, and keep materials in the EU economy for the longest feasible duration.

What’s Happening in Europe?

For years, Europe strengthened its collection, sorting, and recycling systems. Today, however:

Imported plastic waste is entering the market at lower prices.
European recyclers struggle to secure the European-generated waste they rely on.
Local investments risk becoming stranded.
Europe-generated plastics collected for recycling are increasingly left unprocessed.’
Europe appears to meet its recycling goals — but not with European waste.

Why It Matters

Europe’s Recycling Industry Is at Risk

Billions have been invested in advanced recycling facilities across Europe (EU27+EFTA+UK). If these plants can’t access enough locally collected waste, they can’t operate effectively — or at all.

Jobs and Local Economies Are Impacted

More than 300,000 workers depend on Europe’s recycling value chain. Unfair competition from imported waste puts those jobs at risk.

Environmental Standards Are Weakened

Europe maintains strict rules for transparency, safety, and environmental oversight. Imported waste streams may not meet the same standards, raising concerns about quality, contamination, and monitoring.

Circularity Loses Its Meaning

A circular economy only works when Europe recycles its own waste. Counting imported materials toward European goals makes Europe dependent on external waste streams instead of strengthening its internal system.

How We Got Here

To meet ambitious recycling targets, some market actors are turning to cheaper imported waste.
Because current European legislation allows imported plastic waste to count toward recycling and recycled-content targets, the system has developed an unintended consequence:

What’s at Stake

If the issue isn’t addressed, Europe could face:

Recycling facilities closing or reducing operations

Stagnating investment in circular technologies

A growing dependence on non European-waste

Weakened environmental oversight

Failure to build a resilient, Europe-based circular economy

What should be a European success story is becoming a growing vulnerability.

A Clear Path Forward

Europe (EU27+EFTA+UK) must align its recycling goals with waste generated and recycled within Europe.

This simple step will protect jobs, safeguard investments, ensure that consumers are not unfairly burdened by the costs of ineffective waste systems, and keep Europe on track toward a fair and effective circular transition.