Wasteland
Europe has a problem with plastics. Cheap, versatile and in constant production, plastic is in our milk bottles and toothpaste tubes. And our seas, fields and streams. Can EU plans for a circular economy tackle this mounting waste crisis?
April 2023
Investigate Europe research lays bare Europe's problem with plastics. The investigation exposes failings in EU efforts to achieve a circular economy and details how unchecked production and use is creating a plastic waste crisis across the continent.
From yoghurt pots and milk cartons to shampoo bottles and toothpaste tubes, Europeans produce an average of 35kg of plastic packaging waste each per year. According to the OECD, plastic consumption will triple by 2060. Packaging and shopping bags amassed in daily life are not recycled and instead end up in landfills or incinerators. It is estimated that at best 40 per cent of Europe’s plastic waste is recycled.
The lack of recycling is paired with an enormous demand for new plastic, which brings dramatic consequences. Plastic is made from oil and gas, fossil fuels that drive the climate crisis. Researchers in the United States predict plastic production and disposal will be responsible for 15 per cent of global CO2 emissions by 2050. It is also accelerating an unprecedented environmental catastrophe. European and US researchers recently calculated that 11 million tonnes of plastic waste flow into the oceans every year. By 2030, it could be twice as much – if politicians, business and people do not act.
But as new research by Investigate Europe documents, the EU is still far from achieving this seven years after presenting its recycling plan.
This investigation is supported by the Journalism Fund Earth Investigations Programme.
More from Wasteland
Publications
Jaj, ezek a mai fiatalok! | Kérdések nélkül nincs változás #11
Partizán
14 May 2023
A nagy műanyaghazugság | az Investigate Europe és a Partizán első közös videója
Partizán
14 May 2023
Números de plástico: quem paga a factura?
Público, Portugal
14 May 2023
O labirinto de plástico: não temos solução para o lixo que fazemos
Público, Portugal
14 May 2023
La UE es incapaz de frenar el creciente comercio ilegal de residuos en Europa
infoLibre, Spain
8 May 2023
Το χρυσό fund του Ευρωκοινοβουλίου και ο Παπαδημούλης
Reporters United, Greece
4 May 2023
Plasten du kaster, er produsentens ansvar. Men du får regningen
Stavanger Aftenblad, Norway
3 May 2023
.jpg&w=256&q=75)
Presidentdatter fikk aksjer da Petronor fikk oljelisens
Finansavisen, Norway
2 May 2023
Vi har et kjempeproblem. Noe av det eksporterer vi. Resten brenner vi.
Landslaget For Lokalaviser, Norway
2 May 2023
Incineradoras de residuos europeas: las dudas sobre sus emisiones que siguen sin resolverse
infoLibre, Spain
1 May 2023
El problema del plástico en Europa explicado en seis gráficos
infoLibre, Spain
29 April 2023
La economía circular europea se atasca por el uso creciente de plásticos que no se reciclan
infoLibre, Spain
29 April 2023
Europa w plastikowej pułapce
Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
29 April 2023
Las sombras de Ecoembes: de las dudas sobre sus datos a los efectos de su posición de monopolio
infoLibre, Spain
28 April 2023
Los SCRAP o cómo Europa ha privatizado las políticas de gestión de residuos
infoLibre, Spain
28 April 2023
.jpg&w=256&q=75)
Warum Europas Plastikberge schneller wachsen, als sie recycelt werden
Der Standard, Austria
27 April 2023
Vi har eit kjempeproblem. Noko av det eksporterer vi. Resten brenn vi
Firdaposten
27 April 2023
Desmontando Reciclos: un sistema de reciclaje ilógico y abierto al fraude
infoLibre, Spain
27 April 2023
España se queda cada vez más sola dentro de Europa en su rechazo al sistema de retorno para reciclar envases
infoLibre, Spain
27 April 2023
Coca-Cola, Mercadona y Dia impulsan en Portugal un sistema de reciclaje que rechazan en España
infoLibre, Spain
27 April 2023
Europa w plastikowej pułapce
Frontstory, Poland
27 April 2023
Ein Recyclingkreislauf voller Löcher: Europa versinkt in Joghurtbechern, Milchtüten und Shampooflaschen
Der Tagesspiegel, Germany
26 April 2023
Big Oil fiuta l’affare, corsa alla chimica: “È il piano B”
Il Fatto Quotidiano, Italy
23 April 2023
In Ue Italia e Spagna contro la “cauzione” sulle bottigliette rese
Il Fatto Quotidiano, Italy
23 April 2023
Plastica boom: la produzione aumenta e il riciclo è una beffa
Il Fatto Quotidiano, Italy
23 April 2023