Crisis in EU Plastic Recycling

Plastics Recyclers Europe issued a press release on Wednesday 19 March to say that the European Union’s plastic recycling industry is at a breaking point and demands immediate action.

The release highlights:

• Imports of both recycled and virgin polymers now account for over 20% of EU polymer consumption, while domestic recycling production has declined by 5% for most polymers.
• Plastic waste exports from the EU surged by 36% in 2024 compared to 2022, signalling a concerning shift away from in-region recycling.
• Trends have led to the slowest plastic recycling capacity growth in years, alongside an increasing number of facility closures.
• Recycling plant closures doubled in 2024 compared to 2023, with the situation seemingly continuing to deteriorate in 2025.

The UK is facing the same challenges as the EU and various countries on a global scale, and RECOUP has raised concerns about the impact of plastic imports and its negative impact on UK recyclers and infrastructure, and are active in a number of areas, including: providing clarity and evidence of inaccurate and fraudulent claims of recycled content; PRN reform; and exploring interventions that can change the current situation.

Click here to access the Plastic Recyclers Europe press release.

In addition to this, on Friday 14 March, Cedo Recycling announced its intention to cease operations at its Geleen site in the Netherlands later this year.

The company citing ongoing market challenges, rising operational costs, and increasing regulatory pressures as key factors influencing the proposed decision.

Discussions with employee representatives will take place in the coming weeks, with trade unions informed and invited for consultation. A final decision has yet to be made, but Cedo emphasises its continued commitment to sustainability and to maintain recycling efforts at its other European sites.

You can find the press release here.