New package of measures to boost circular economy and strengthen Europe’s plastic recycling

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The European Commission has unveiled a first set of pilot actions to accelerate Europe’s transition to a circular economy, with a particular focus on the plastics sector. By optimising the recycling of plastics, these measures will further unlock the potential of the Single Market and enhance the EU’s economic security, strategic autonomy, competitiveness and environmental sustainability. This is in line with the analysis of the Draghi report, which highlights circularity and resource efficiency as key levers for strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness.

To accelerate the transition to circularity, the Commission is pursuing a two-step approach. In the first step, as pressure on certain sectors is acute, this package of pilot measures includes a set of concrete short-term actions to support circularity in particular in the plastics sector, while encouraging investment and innovation more broadly. Second, in 2026, the Commission will propose a Circular Economy Act with further horizontal measures that will improve the functioning of the Single Market for secondary raw materials.

The circular economy represents a major opportunity for the plastics sector. Evidence from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre shows that circular solutions can cut the sector’s climate-related emissions by 45%, decarbonise energy use, and improve the sector’s trade balance by €18 billion per year by 2050.

The sector of plastic recycling faces mounting pressures: fragmented markets for recycled materials, high energy costs, volatile virgin plastic prices, and unfair competition from third countries. These challenges are already taking a toll, with reduced capacity use and financial losses for EU recyclers, which threaten the EU’s circularity targets and industrial competitiveness.

Overcoming market fragmentation

The absence of harmonised and predictable EU-wide rules for the free movement of recycled plastics has led to a fragmented market. The measures presented today will contribute to a more integrated market for plastics.

As part of today’s package, the Commission is presenting an implementing act to create EU-wide end-of-waste criteria for plastics under the Waste Framework Directive. Setting EU-wide standards on when recycled materials are again considered materials for re-use is a key step to establish a Single Market for recycled plastics, simplify administrative procedures for recyclers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, and ensure a stable supply of high-quality recyclates across Europe. Before final adoption, the draft act is published today for public feedback until 26 January 2026. 

The Commission is also presenting for vote by Member States an implementing act  concerning the recycled content of PET single-use plastic beverage bottles under the Single-Use Plastics Directive. These rules could create new opportunities for plastic chemical recyclers, ensuring that chemically recycled plastics contribute to achieving EU recycling targets subject to certain conditions and in complement to mechanically recycled plastics. A clearer regulatory framework is also expected to improve legal certainty, helping to unlock investment in chemical recycling across Europe.

The Commission also plans to relaunch and strengthen the Circular Plastics Alliance, reinforcing it as a structured and inclusive platform for cooperation across the plastics value chain, where industry stakeholders, Member States and the Commission can jointly identify shared priorities and address key challenges affecting the competitiveness and circularity of the European plastics sector.

Ensuring fair competition

To ensure fair competition between EU-made and imported plastics, the Commission is creating separate customs codes for virgin and recycled plastics. This will support enforcement of EU rules on imported plastics by customs and national market surveillance authorities.

The Commission is also announcing monitoring efforts for EU and global markets for virgin and recycled plastics which will inform potential trade measures to ensure fair competition between EU-produced and imported plastics. The Commission will take stock of these measures during 2026.

Encouraging investment and innovation

The Commission will step up support for circular projects, leveraging collaboration with national banks and the European Investment Bank. It will support Trans-Regional Circularity Hubs by setting up a Competitiveness Coordination Tool (CCT) pilot. The hubs will encourage smart specialisation and cross border cooperation to scale up recycling and circular practices.

Evaluating the impact of the Single-Use Plastics Directive

The Commission launched today a public consultation and call for evidence to evaluate the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). This is the first step in examining how well the Directive has reduced the impact of certain plastic products on the marine environment and on human health, while promoting a circular, innovative and sustainable economy. The consultation and call for evidence are open to all interested parties until 17 March 2026.

Background

Europe needs to accelerate its shift to a circular economy. Using limited natural resources wisely is essential for enhancing economic security, competitiveness, and reducing carbon emissions.

Although the EU leads in circularity policies, progress has been slow. In 2024, 12.2% of materials used in the EU came from recycled materials, a modest increase from 11.2% in 2015. To achieve goals set in EU legislation as well as in the Competitiveness Compass, Clean Industrial Deal, and REsourceEU action plan, Europe must remove obstacles to circular practices.

The EU aims to be the global leader in the circular economy by 2030, as outlined in the Competitiveness Compass. An important step in this direction is the Circular Economy Act, set to be adopted by the end of 2026. This Act will contribute to establishing a Single Market for recycled materials, improving their supply and demand within the EU.

Today’s measures fulfil President von der Leyen’s promise from her September 2025 State of the Union address to speed up Europe’s transition to a circular economy. By focusing on key sectors and introducing targeted practical measures, this package sets the stage for a robust Circular Economy Act in 2026.