Finland's plastic recycling rate was the second lowest in the EU

Image: Eurostat. Eurostat statistics show recycling rates for plastic packaging waste in 2024 in different EU countries.

Finland has lagged behind other countries in recycling plastic packaging waste.

Recent statistics from Eurostat states that Finland's plastic packaging waste recycling rate is the second worst among EU countries: 26,9 percent.

Only Denmark lags behind Finland with a recycling rate of 22,5 percent.

The figures are for 2024 and are based on packaging waste information.

According to Eurostat, plastic packaging recycling has increased across the EU. The EU average recycling rate was 42,4%, compared to 41,6% in 2023.

Methodological changes have been made to the statistics on recycling rates in 2020, but there is still room for improvement in the comparability of the recycling rates of plastic packaging achieved by member countries. Statistical practices and terms vary by member country.

Finland and Denmark have one thing in common: a large portion of waste in both countries ends up incinerated.

Eastern European countries at the top

According to statistics, the recycling rate of plastic packaging was highest in Eastern European countries, with Latvia in the clear first place with 71%, Poland in third (56%) and the Czech Republic in fourth (53,7%).

Among Eastern European countries, only Belgium came out on top, with a recycling rate of 58,2%, the second best among EU countries.

The amount of plastic packaging waste is increasing

In 2024, 81,5 million tonnes of packaging waste were produced in the EU, or 181 kilograms per capita.

An average of 35,9 kilograms of plastic packaging waste was produced per capita in the EU. Of this amount, an average of 15,3 kilograms was recycled. The amount of both produced and recycled plastic packaging waste increased slightly.

Text: Elina Saarinen, Uusiouutiset

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