Total plastics consumption by end-users in the EU27+3

Plastics consumption includes all packaging, plastic products, parts embedded in larger products and synthetic textiles put on the market for both private and industrial end-users

Data on plastics consumption by end-users in the EU27+3 shows a slight decrease from 58.3 million tonnes in 2018 to 55.2 million tonnes in 2022, which is equivalent of 105 kg/capita and year. However, this should not be regarded as a clear trend due to the lack of data for a longer period and the bias by COVID19 impact in 2020. During the COVID19 pandemic, there was a slow-down in economic activity, and a change in consumption patterns specifically related to plastics, such as the use of personal protection gear (face masks) and also increased use of single-use plastic packaging.

Plastics are mostly used for packaging, followed by building and construction; automotives; electoral and electronic appliances; houseware, leisure and sports; agriculture, farming and gardening; and textiles.

A major part of the plastic placed on the market for end-users becomes waste after a short life span. In 2020 for example, around 30 million tonnes of post-consumer plastic waste were collected in EU27+3.

Total consumption of plastics by end-users includes all plastic packaging, plastic products, parts embedded in larger products as well as synthetic textiles put on the market in the EU27+3 for both private and industrial end-users.

When assessing plastics circularity, it is important to measure total plastics consumption because consumption of fossil-based virgin plastic should be decreased to achieve circularity. In a circular economy all materials, including plastics, should be used in the most efficient way possible. Several EU strategies and directives aim, among others, to limit plastic consumption. A few examples include EU Plastics Strategy, Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, Single-Use Plastics Directive.

Definition

Metric shows amounts of plastics consumed in the EU27 + Norway, Switzerland, and the UK per type of use. Plastics consumption includes all packaging, plastic products and parts embedded in larger products as well as synthetic textiles put on the market for both private and industrial end-users

Methodology

Data on plastics put on market (which does not include textiles) from Plastics Europe

Statistical and market data supported by stakeholder interviews
Modelling/extrapolation

Statistical data on textiles made of plastics from Eurostat

Metadata

Source:

For plastics consumption: https://plasticseurope.org/knowledge-hub/the-circular-economy-for-plastics-a-european-analysis-2024/
For synthetic textiles: Source: Eurostat, https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/ds-056120__custom_15615654/default/table?lang=en; synthetic fibres and yarns are included under product groups 13.10 and 20.60 in Prodcom

Unit: million tonnes

Temporal coverage: 2018, 2020, and 2022

Geographic coverage: EU 27+3 (Norway, Switzerland, and the UK)

Additional reading

Plastics Europe. 2022. The Circular Economy for plastics. A European Overview 2022

Plastics Europe. 2022. Plastics the facts

Plastics Europe. 2024. Plastics the facts

Plastics Europe. 20220. The Circular Economy for plastics. A European Overview
^↵
Impacts of COVID-19 on single-use plastic in Europe’s environment
^↵
Plastics Europe. 2022. Plastics the facts
^↵