MiNa
Wed, 11/06/2025 – 17:55
You need data to see where you are and what needs to be changed.
EU environment and sustainable policies require effective data and analyses, which are provided by Eurostat. This data is extremely useful for seeing how waste and the circular economy in the EU are evolving. Eurostat data on food waste, packaging and municipal waste paint a vivid picture. Part of it is good, other parts definitely less so.
In 2022, each person in the EU used an average of 66.3 lightweight plastic carrier bags: this was 14% less than in 2021. Municipal waste generation per person continued to fall: it was 511kg in 2023, a 4% decrease over two years. However, it was still higher than in 2013 so a mitigated success.
Fairly encouraging – but there are still a number of challenges.
Packaging waste comes under the “not so good” heading. In 2022, the EU produced 83.4 million tonnes of packaging waste, or 186.5 kg per person. This is slightly less than in 2021, but the general trend over the past decade has been moving in the wrong direction (up).
Food waste is also in the “could do better” category. In 2022, around 132kg of food waste per inhabitant was generated. Households were responsible for 54% of this waste, equivalent to 72kg per inhabitant. That really is something individuals can and should act on.
Matters are shifting in the trade in recyclable raw materials. Exports decreased by 8% in 2024, but imports increased by 18%, resulting in a trade deficit of approximately 11 million tonnes for recyclable raw materials in 2024. Improving domestic collection and processing of recyclable materials in the EU would contribute to the transition towards a more circular economy.
Data definitely matters!
