These European Countries Are The Best (And Worst) At Recycling Plastic Waste

Lithuania has the best recycling rate in Europe, according to the EU’s official statistic agency, Eurostat study. Cyprus comes in second, followed by Slovenia and Czech Republic.

Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Netherlands, and Sweden rounded out the top eight. Only these eight countries recycled more than half of their plastic waste in 2016. Germany, in 9th place, recycles almost half (48.4%) of its plastic waste.

The study also suggests that only 42.4% percent of plastic waste was recycled in the European Union in 2016. Estonia is the only country where the share of plastic recycling has actually decreased since 2005 (-0.9%).

With only 20.9% of its plastic waste recycled, Liechtenstein came in last in the ranking. Estonia (24.6%), Finland (25.4%), France (25.8%), and Ireland (31.2%) completed the bottom five.

These European Countries Are The Best (And Worst) At Recycling Plastic Waste

1. Lithuania: 74.4%
2. Cyprus: 63.7%
3. Slovenia: 62%
4. Czech Republic: 59.2%
5. Bulgaria: 52.6%
6. Slovakia: 51.7%
7. Netherlands: 51.5%
8. Sweden: 50.7%
9. Germany: 48.4%
10. Poland: 46.9%
11. Romania: 46.7%
12. Spain: 45.5%
13. UK: 44.9%
14. Norway: 44.6%
15. Belgium: 43.4%
16. Iceland: 42.7%
17. Italy: 42.4%
18. Portugal: 41.8%
19. Croatia: 41.1%
20. Latvia: 37.2%
21. Greece: 36.8%
22. Denmark: 36.1%
23. Austria: 33.6%
24. Luxembourg: 32.6%
25. Hungary: 31.4%
26. Malta: 28.6%
27. Ireland: 31.2%
28. France: 25.8%
29. Finland: 25.4%
30. Estonia: 24.6%
31. Liechtenstein: 20.9%

EU28: 42.4%

Infographic: Which European countries are the best and worst at recycling plastic waste?