Overview
Plastics are an important material in our economy and daily lives. However, they can have serious negative effects on the environment and human health.
The EU adopted a European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy in January 2018, as part of the EU’s First Circular Economy Action Plan, which builds on existing measures to reduce plastic waste.
The strategy is a key element of Europe’s transition towards a carbon-neutral and circular economy.
It will contribute to reaching the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement objectives and the EU’s industrial policy objectives.
Latest news
A new global inventory, PlastChem, presents information on more than 16,000 chemicals in plastics – over a quarter of which are hazardous chemicals of concern. This data can aid plastics regulation, but more transparency is still needed.
The European Commission has unveiled a first set of pilot actions to accelerate Europe's transition to a circular economy, with a particular focus on the plastics sector.
The Commission is participating in crucial negotiations on a Global Plastics Treaty in Geneva to address our growing plastic problem.