Plastics
Tackling plastic waste is crucial in order for the EU to reduce pollution and protect the environment and human health. EU measures aim to develop a circular plastics economy.
Why reducing plastic pollution is vital
Plastics play an important role in our economy, industries and daily lives. Plastic materials are used across economic sectors and in all sorts of products and goods.
However, plastic is generally not biodegradable. It can take up to 500 years for a piece of plastic to decompose. Littered plastic items often break up into microplastics, which are hard to remove from nature and risk ending up in our food chain through water or animals.
Reducing the amount of plastics and microplastics dispersed in nature and ensuring the reduction and correct management of plastic waste is therefore vital to protect the environment and people's health.
Dealing with plastics in a sustainable way is essential for Europe's transition towards a carbon-neutral and circular economy.
EU goals to tackle plastics
European strategy for plastics
In 2018, the European Commission adopted a European strategy for plastics in a circular economy, to promote the reuse and recycling of plastics and plastic products.
The strategy laid the foundations for reducing plastic pollution and contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Circular economy action plan
The objectives of the plastics strategy were developed further in the circular economy action plan presented by the Commission in 2020. The plan included waste reduction measures for products such as packaging, and mandatory requirements for recycled content.
Zero pollution action plan
In May 2021, the Commission presented a zero pollution action plan for air, water and soil. The main aim of the plan is for pollution prevention to be included in all relevant EU policies, speeding up the reduction of plastics and other pollutants in nature.
Reducing the amount of plastic on land and at sea are two of the targets for 2050 presented in the action plan.
Global treaty on plastics
The EU supports a global agreement on plastics within an international framework. The goal of the agreement would be to reduce plastic pollution and support a shift towards a circular economy globally.
Negotiations to conclude such an agreement started in 2022 but so far no agreement has been reached.
EU legislation on plastics
Ban on single-use plastic products
In May 2019, the Council adopted a directive to reduce plastic waste. The directive introduced new rules on certain single-use plastic products.
The rules include a ban on the use of specific throwaway plastics products for which there are alternatives. The directive also introduced special measures to reduce use of the most frequently littered plastic products. Under the new rules the following single-use plastic products have been banned since 2021:
- plates
- cutlery
- straws
- cotton buds
- products made from oxo-degradable plastic
- food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene
Member states also agreed that plastic bottles should be made of at least 25% recycled material by 2025 and 30% by 2030.
Enhanced plastic packaging reuse and recycling
In December 2024, the EU adopted a new regulation on packaging and packaging waste.
The rules, which started to apply on 12 August 2026, include restrictions on single-use plastics packaging of certain pre-packed and individual portions of food, and on single-use products in the hospitality sector.
Packaging
Preventing release of plastic pellets
Plastic pellets are one of the largest sources of unintentional microplastic pollution. Thousands of tonnes of pellets can be released into the environment every year due to losses during production, handling and transport.
To tackle this pollution, the EU adopted new rules in 2025 to prevent plastic pellet losses across the entire supply chain, including during maritime transport.
The rules require companies handling plastic pellets to take measures to prevent spills and losses and to clean them up when they occur. Depending on the amount of pellets handled, companies may also need to obtain independent certification or provide a declaration of conformity.
Specific requirements apply to the transport of plastic pellets by sea, including rules on packaging and transport information.
The new rules aim to significantly reduce plastic pellet losses and contribute to the EU's goal of cutting microplastic pollution.
The regulation entered into force in December 2025. Most of its provisions will apply from December 2027, giving businesses time to adapt to the new requirements.
Regulating waste trade
Millions of tonnes of waste are generated in Europe every year.
Plastics make up a substantial amount of the waste we generate and plastics waste is both imported and exported by the EU.
In 2024, the EU updated its rules in order to better regulate waste trade within the EU and with non-EU countries, in line with the European Green Deal and the circular economy action plan.
New, stricter rules were also introduced on the export of plastic waste to non-EU countries.
See also
Last review: 12 August 2026
