Safeguarding Europe’s Plastics Recycling Future

European recyclers are facing a severe and deepening recession¹, with businesses being increasingly forced to shut down. This trend threatens to accelerate Europe’s deindustrialisation and undermines the EU’s environmental and circular economy goals. In response Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE) has released a position paper outlining six strategic areas for immediate action² that must be urgently applied to prevent the collapse of the European plastics recycling industry. 

“We urge policymakers to implement these six strategic actions – ranging from trade defence mechanisms like tariffication of imports to fiscal incentives — to address the deep recession we are experiencing,” said Ton Emans, President of Plastics Recyclers Europe. “Plastics recycling must be recognised as an essential sector for the EU –critical both for competitiveness and environmental progress — and it must be protected accordingly.” 

Plastics Recyclers Europe demands that the persistent threat of low-cost, unverified imports of both virgin and recycled plastics be addressed urgently, as they distort the market, erode competitiveness and pose a risk to the EU’s circular economy. Global overcapacity in plastic production and rising operational costs within Europe are further exacerbating market distortions. To restore balance and ensure fair competition, robust verification systems, custom codes for recycled polymers, and effective import surveillance mechanisms must be urgently implemented. PRE also calls for targeted subsidies and tax relief measures to mitigate high energy costs and for the streamlining of compliance procedures that currently burden recyclers.  

The time for action is now. The EU must protect plastics recycling as a strategic industry, central to sustainable growth and resource independence. Doing so is vital not only for achieving climate goals but also for safeguarding public health, maintaining regulatory standards, and preserving Europe’s industrial leadership in the global transition to a circular economy.

1. Crisis in EU Plastic Recycling Demands Immediate Action
2. Securing a Future for Circular Plastics in Europe: Actions for a Competitive Plastic & Recycling Sector in the EU

^{ABOUT PLASTICS RECYCLERS EUROPE} 

^{Plastics Recyclers Europe is an organisation representing the voice of the European plastics recyclers who reprocess plastic waste into high-quality material destined for the production of new articles. Recyclers are important facilitators of the circularity of plastics and the transition towards the circular economy.}  

^{Plastics recycling in Europe is a rapidly growing sector representing over €9.1 billion in turnover, 13.2 million tonnes of installed recycling capacity, around 850 recycling facilities, and over 30.000 employees.} 

^{Contact: communication@plasticsrecyclers.eu; www.plasticsrecyclers.eu}