The EU reached a 45% separate collection rate for plastic packaging waste in 2023, yet plastic packaging still represented 40% of all plastic waste in 2019. Life-cycle studies link progress with material choices, since switching from virgin paper can cut greenhouse gas emissions by about 35% and replacing PET with rPET can reduce emissions by around 60% under certain recycling scenarios.
Key Takeaways
- In 2019, plastic packaging represented 40% of all plastic waste generated (OECD modeled)
- EU landfill target for packaging waste: 10% by 2035 (as part of EU landfill reduction objectives referenced in waste policy)
- Recycled-content paper reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 35% compared with virgin paper in a meta-analysis of life-cycle assessments
- In 2023, EU reported separate collection rates for packaging waste reaching 45% for plastics (Eurostat)
- In the EU, the Packaging Waste Directive sets a minimum recycling target of 50% by weight by 2020 for packaging waste overall (historical target)
- Compostable film regulations: ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 standards are used to qualify compostability, affecting packaging costs (standard)
- U.S. EPA: In 2018, the U.S. generated 34.3 million tons of plastic waste, with 8.7% recycled (EPA)
- U.S. EPA: In 2018, the U.S. generated 35.5 million tons of paper and paperboard, of which 69.5% was recycled (EPA)
- U.S. EPA: In 2018, 68.3% of aluminum beverage cans were recycled (EPA WARM data)
- The global sustainable packaging market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2024 to 2030 (IMARC)
- The global flexible packaging market reached $377.2 billion in 2023, with sustainable packaging segments expanding (MarketsandMarkets)
- The global paper packaging market size was $331.5 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $498.3 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights)
- EU packaging waste legislation includes targets: 60% recycling of packaging waste by 2030 (EU directive framework)
- Single-use plastics directive: EU member states must reduce consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags to max 90 bags per person per year by 2019 (Directive (EU) 2015/720)
- 38% of companies report implementing traceability or digital product passport approaches for packaging materials (2023 survey result).
From recycling targets to faster growth in sustainable markets, packaging change is driven by data showing plastics dominate waste.
Related reading
01 · Category
Environmental Impact5 stats
01
In 2019, plastic packaging represented 40% of all plastic waste generated (OECD modeled)
02
EU landfill target for packaging waste: 10% by 2035 (as part of EU landfill reduction objectives referenced in waste policy)
03
Recycled-content paper reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 35% compared with virgin paper in a meta-analysis of life-cycle assessments
04
A life-cycle assessment study found that replacing PET with rPET in beverage bottles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 60% under certain recycling scenarios
05
A comparative LCA study reported that using polymer blends with recycled content in packaging can reduce climate impacts by 20–40% versus virgin plastic depending on recycled-content share and end-of-life assumptions
Interpretation
Environmental Impact Interpretation
For the Environmental Impact angle, the evidence shows that sustainable packaging can markedly cut climate and waste pressures, with recycled-content options cutting greenhouse gas emissions by about 35% for paper and around 60% for shifting PET to rPET, while EU policy aims to drive packaging landfill rates down to 10% by 2035 and plastic packaging still makes up 40% of all plastic waste generated in 2019.
02 · Category
User Adoption1 stats
01
In 2023, EU reported separate collection rates for packaging waste reaching 45% for plastics (Eurostat)
Interpretation
User Adoption Interpretation
In 2023, the EU’s separate collection rate for plastics packaging waste reached 45%, indicating that user adoption of sorting and proper disposal is already at a substantial level within the Sustainable Packaging landscape.
03 · Category
Cost Analysis2 stats
01
In the EU, the Packaging Waste Directive sets a minimum recycling target of 50% by weight by 2020 for packaging waste overall (historical target)
02
Compostable film regulations: ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 standards are used to qualify compostability, affecting packaging costs (standard)
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
From a cost analysis perspective, the EU’s 50% by weight recycling target for packaging waste by 2020 suggests ongoing spending and operational pressure to meet recyclability goals, while compostable film requirements under ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 can add qualification and compliance costs to packaging decisions.
04 · Category
Performance Metrics7 stats
01
U.S. EPA: In 2018, the U.S. generated 34.3 million tons of plastic waste, with 8.7% recycled (EPA)
02
U.S. EPA: In 2018, the U.S. generated 35.5 million tons of paper and paperboard, of which 69.5% was recycled (EPA)
03
U.S. EPA: In 2018, 68.3% of aluminum beverage cans were recycled (EPA WARM data)
04
Life-cycle assessment meta-analysis reports that recycled-content paper typically reduces GHG emissions by about 35% vs virgin paper (peer-reviewed evidence, variable by system)
05
A 2021 peer-reviewed study reported that switching from conventional to compostable foodservice packaging can reduce carbon footprints by up to ~50% when diverted to industrial composting rather than landfilling (system-dependent)
06
A peer-reviewed LCA study reported that replacing PET with rPET in beverage bottles can reduce GHG emissions by about 60% in certain recycling scenarios (study-specific)
07
A study in Waste Management found that using PCR plastics in packaging can reduce climate impacts by 20–40% relative to virgin plastic, depending on recycling rate and quality losses
Interpretation
Performance Metrics Interpretation
Under performance metrics, the data show that recycling can deliver big climate benefits, with 68.3% of aluminum beverage cans recycled and paper recycling at 69.5%, while meta-analyses estimate recycled-content paper cuts greenhouse gas emissions by about 35% compared with virgin paper and studies suggest replacing PET with rPET can reduce emissions by around 60%.
More related reading
05 · Category
Market Size13 stats
01
The global sustainable packaging market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% from 2024 to 2030 (IMARC)
02
The global flexible packaging market reached $377.2 billion in 2023, with sustainable packaging segments expanding (MarketsandMarkets)
03
The global paper packaging market size was $331.5 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $498.3 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights)
04
The global plastic packaging market size was $312.4 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $406.3 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights)
05
The global compostable packaging market was valued at $6.2 billion in 2022 and forecast to reach $18.5 billion by 2032 (Fortune Business Insights)
06
The global bioplastics market size was $8.8 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $19.4 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights)
07
The global bio-based plastics market is expected to grow from $5.5 billion in 2022 to $10.8 billion by 2030 (Allied Market Research)
08
The global packaging recycling market was valued at $19.2 billion in 2020 and projected to reach $45.6 billion by 2030 (Allied Market Research)
09
The global recycled plastics market was $5.5 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $20.2 billion by 2032 (IMARC)
10
The global reusable packaging market size was $6.2 billion in 2022 and forecast to reach $22.4 billion by 2032 (Fortune Business Insights)
11
The global circular packaging market was valued at $4.1 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $14.8 billion by 2030 (MarketsandMarkets)
12
The global eco-friendly packaging market size was $67.0 billion in 2022 and forecast to reach $125.0 billion by 2030 (IMARC)
13
The global green packaging market was valued at $56.7 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $99.5 billion by 2030 (IMARC)
Interpretation
Market Size Interpretation
For the market size angle, sustainable packaging is clearly on an expansion path with the global sustainable packaging market projected to grow at a 7.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2030, alongside rapid scaling in related segments such as paper reaching $331.5 billion in 2022 and a forecast $498.3 billion by 2030.
06 · Category
Industry Trends3 stats
01
EU packaging waste legislation includes targets: 60% recycling of packaging waste by 2030 (EU directive framework)
02
Single-use plastics directive: EU member states must reduce consumption of lightweight plastic carrier bags to max 90 bags per person per year by 2019 (Directive (EU) 2015/720)
03
38% of companies report implementing traceability or digital product passport approaches for packaging materials (2023 survey result).
Interpretation
Industry Trends Interpretation
Industry Trends show the EU is steadily tightening sustainable packaging expectations, aiming for 60% recycling of packaging waste by 2030 while pushing single use plastic carrier bags down to a maximum of 90 per person per year, and companies are increasingly responding with digital traceability or product passport approaches where 38% already report adoption.
07 · Category
Market Adoption3 stats
01
$4.0 billion global market size for recycled plastics in 2023 (recycled plastics market segment)
02
$7.2 billion global market size for reusable packaging in 2023
03
In 2024, 48% of packaging decision-makers reported increasing investments in recycling-focused packaging formats
Interpretation
Market Adoption Interpretation
Market adoption for sustainable packaging is accelerating as 48% of packaging decision-makers increased investments in recycling-focused formats in 2024 and the recycled plastics market reached $4.0 billion in 2023 alongside a $7.2 billion reusable packaging market.
08 · Category
Environmental Performance4 stats
01
A 2022 peer-reviewed LCA study found that increasing recycled-content levels in packaging reduces impacts versus virgin plastic by up to 60% under best-case recycling assumptions.
02
A 2021 life-cycle assessment review reported that paper packaging often shows lower fossil GHG emissions when sourced from sustainably managed forests and recycled fiber content is used (system-dependent; directionality reported).
03
A 2019 peer-reviewed study found that mono-material packaging designs can improve end-of-life recycling rates compared with multi-material designs (median improvements reported in the study).
04
A 2022 comparative LCA reported that reuse systems for rigid containers can lower climate impacts by about 30–70% versus single-use when sufficient trip numbers are achieved (scenario-dependent).
Interpretation
Environmental Performance Interpretation
For environmental performance, the evidence shows that smarter material and system choices can sharply cut impacts, with recycled-content in packaging reducing harm versus virgin plastic by up to 60 and reuse for rigid containers lowering climate impacts by roughly 30 to 70 compared with single-use.
report visual · Key figures
Sustainable packaging: policy targets, collection rates, and climate-impact potential
Progress is tracked through EU recycling/landfill targets and actual collection rates, while life-cycle studies quantify potential emissions reductions from recycled and redesigned materials.
60%
EU packaging waste legislation includes targets: 60% recycling of packaging waste by 2030 (EU directive framework)
10%
EU landfill target for packaging waste: 10% by 2035 (as part of EU landfill reduction objectives referenced in waste pol
45%
In 2023, EU reported separate collection rates for packaging waste reaching 45% for plastics (Eurostat)
35%
Recycled-content paper reduces greenhouse gas emissions by about 35% compared with virgin paper in a meta-analysis of li
60%
A life-cycle assessment study found that replacing PET with rPET in beverage bottles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions
40%
A comparative LCA study reported that using polymer blends with recycled content in packaging can reduce climate impacts
source-verifiedeur-lex.europa.eu · ec.europa.eu · sciencedirect.com2035
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Sustainable Packaging Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainable-packaging-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Sustainable Packaging Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/sustainable-packaging-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Sustainable Packaging Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/sustainable-packaging-statistics.
Sources & references
38 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+21 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)