EU revenue based on non‑recycled plastic packaging waste – A challenging start hindered by data that is not sufficiently comparable or reliable

Summary:

In January 2021, the EU introduced a new own resource based on non-recycled plastic packaging waste generated by member states. In 2023, it amounted to €7.2 billion, 4.0 % of the EU’s total revenue. We assessed the introduction of this new own resource. We conclude that the member states were not sufficiently prepared, and data used was not sufficiently comparable and reliable. Even though the Commission’s actions improved data quality, they were not timely. We recommend that the Commission apply the lessons learnt from the introduction of this new own resource, improve data comparability and reliability, and mitigate the risk that waste sent to recyclers is not actually recycled.

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