Resources Conservation and Recycling· 2026Q1
Can the European recycling target for plastic packaging be met? A scenario analysis for Finland
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Finland can meet the EU's 2030 target of 55% plastic packaging recycling by prioritizing business packaging, improving separate collection rates, and using material recovery from mixed waste as a secondary strategy.
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Key points
- The EU's 2030 plastic packaging recycling target of 55% is achievable for Finland through specific interventions.
- Improving separate collection rates for business packaging is a primary strategy.
- Material recovery from mixed waste streams should be a complementary measure.
- A significant portion of current plastic packaging waste in Finland is incinerated, not recycled.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
The European Union’s plastic packaging recycling target for 2025 is unlikely to have been met by most member states, so to achieve the more ambitious 55% target for 2030 will require significant changes to existing waste management and recycling practices. This study examines the factors affecting plastic packaging waste recycling and assesses, using 13 waste collection and recycling efficiency scenarios, the conditions under which Finland could meet the 2030 target. The findings indicate that the target is a multidimensional challenge shaped by multiple factors along the plastic value chain. At present, a substantial proportion of packaging waste is incinerated instead of material recovery. Priority should be given to business packaging by substantially improving the separate collection rates, with material recovery from mixed waste streams as a complementary measure. The paper also suggests targeted policies and interventions for improving plastic packaging recycling in Finland and beyond.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Waste Management and DisposalEnvironmental Science