Plastic packaging use across selected European markets increased by 11% between 2011 and 2025, according to research from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). The study, which analysed packaging materials placed on the market in 19 EU Member States, identified plastic as the only material category showing an overall upward trend during the period.

The research examined plastic, cardboard, paper, glass, metal and composite packaging formats across countries representing more than 97% of the EU population. Its findings provide insight into how packaging consumption patterns have evolved as Europe moves towards stricter circular economy targets and new requirements under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

The data highlights the continued scale of plastic packaging use despite growing pressure for prevention, reuse and improved recycling.

According to the study, the total quantity of packaging placed on the market reached approximately 98 kilograms per person in 2024. Food and beverage packaging accounted for 97% of this figure, confirming these sectors as the main drivers of packaging consumption across Europe.

Glass represented the largest share by weight, accounting for around 75% of total packaging mass due to its density. Reusable and single-use glass bottles were among the most significant contributors, with beer packaging alone estimated to represent approximately 16.5 million tonnes.

Plastic packaging showed a different pattern. In 2025, around 5.9 million tonnes of plastic packaging were placed on the markets analysed, equivalent to approximately 14 kilograms per person. While the average remained similar across the region, consumption levels varied significantly between countries.

Germany recorded around 16 kilograms of plastic packaging per person, while Sweden used approximately half that amount. These differences reflect variations in consumption habits, packaging systems, product categories and national approaches to collection and recycling.

• Bottled water was one of the largest contributors to plastic packaging volumes.
• Dairy products represented another major source of plastic packaging demand.
• Soft drinks remained a significant category for plastic use.
• PET dominated beverage bottle production in most countries.
• Polypropylene plays a larger role in some markets, including Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The research also identified substantial differences in beverage bottle formats between Member States. In Italy, plastic water bottles were estimated to represent 46% of total plastic packaging consumption, while the proportion was only around 6% in Sweden. These variations demonstrate how national consumption patterns strongly influence packaging demand.

Plastic packaging consumption was found to have increased in countries including Ireland, Romania and Poland. Meanwhile, markets such as France, the Netherlands and Belgium showed relatively stable levels of plastic packaging use during the analysed period.

The findings arrive as European policymakers continue efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste and improve recycling performance. The European Commission recently reported progress under the Single-Use Plastics Directive, including reductions and collection improvements for certain food and beverage containers.

In relation to single-use plastic bottles, the Commission estimated that 2.54 million tonnes reached the EU market in 2022. Countries with larger populations naturally reported the highest total volumes, although several Member States exceeded the required collection performance target of 77%.

Twelve countries were reported to have surpassed the collection target for single-use plastic bottles, including Estonia, Poland, Finland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Croatia, Iceland, Slovakia and Belgium.

For packaging manufacturers and brands, the JRC findings underline the challenge of reducing plastic dependence while maintaining functionality across food and beverage applications. Plastic remains widely used because of its lightweight properties, durability, barrier performance and suitability for high-speed production.

However, rising consumption levels increase pressure on companies to improve design choices, increase recycled content, simplify structures and develop stronger collection and recycling systems. The results also reinforce the importance of harmonised European approaches to sorting, labelling and waste management.

The JRC has recently proposed unified waste sorting labels under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, including common pictograms, colour-coded symbols and standardised disposal guidance. Such measures are intended to make recycling easier for consumers and improve material recovery rates.

As Europe continues to reshape its packaging system, the data suggests that reducing plastic packaging growth will require action across the entire value chain, from product design and consumer behaviour to collection infrastructure and recycling capacity.