Plastics can be recycled to more than 60% by 2020

A plastics recycling target of 62% is achievable by 2020. Plastics Recyclers Europe released a study showing that a higher recycling rate for plastics will create benefits for the European Union environment, economy and resource efficiency. The implementation of the Vision for Resource Efficiency will efficiently use all plastic waste generated by putting 11 million tonnes (Mt) of plastics recyclates on the market. It will also divert more than 24 Mt of plastic waste from landfill, and recover energy from 7.5 Mt of residual waste. The plan would create around 360 000 jobs (of which 120 000 directly employed by recyclers). It will also save more than €4.5 billion (by substitution for virgin plastics). Another benefit is the reduction in harmful emissions by more than 26 MtCO2.