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 is taking action to tackle plastic pollution and marine litter to accelerate the transition to a circular and resource-efficient plastics economy. Specific rules and targets apply to certain areas, including single-use plastics, plastic packaging, microplastics, and soon bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.

The EU’s plastics strategy, as part of the circular economy action plan, outlines specific actions in more detail.

Almost 26 million tonnes

of plastic waste is generated in Europe every year

Around 80%

of marine litter is plastic

87%

of Europeans are worried about the impact of plastic products on the environment

Objectives

EU policy on plastics aims to protect the environment and human health by reducing marine litter, greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on imported fossil fuels.

The EU also aims to

transform the way plastic products are designed, produced, used and recycled in the EU
transition to a sustainable plastics economy
support more sustainable and safer consumption and production patterns for plastics
create new opportunities for innovation, competitiveness and jobs
spur change and set an example at the global level