Loading...
A statistical assessment of the EU packaging waste directive (2004 Amendment) on plastic packaging recycling in the EU
Date
2026-03-01
Abstract
Plastic packaging waste (PPW) presents a major sustainability challenge accross the European Union(EU). The 2004 amendment to the EjU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (2004/12/EC) introduced the PPW recycling targets, yet little empirical evidence evaluates its real-world implications. This study addresses the research question: Was the implementation of Directive 2004/12/EC associated with statistically significant changes in PPW recycling rates across EU member states? Interrupted time series and a volume trend analysis were applied to PPW recycling rates in 13 EU countries with data spanning 1999–2022. Significant positive associated effects were detected in the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. Significant negative associated effects were detected in Belgium, France, Austria and Ireland. These findings suggest that policy-associated changes likely reflect differences in national implementation conditions. The results provide an empirical evidence base for future EU policy by identifying where additional support or strengthened governance mechanisms may be needed
..
Supervisor
Description
Publisher
Elsevier
Citation
Resources, Conservation & Recycling (228)15, 108805
Collections
Files
ULRR Identifiers
Funding code
Funding Information
Sustainable Development Goals
External Link
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International