Plastics Recycling Improves, but Global Waste Still Rising
October 15, 2025Despite progress in recycling, nearly one-third of the world’s plastic waste remains mismanaged, according to the Global Plastics Flow 2023 study presented by Christoph Lindner of Conversio at the K 2025 trade fair in Düsseldorf.
Commissioned by VDMA, the report found that 71% of plastic waste is now treated in an environmentally sound way, up from 68% in 2018. However, 29% is still dumped or poorly handled, particularly in regions lacking waste infrastructure such as parts of Africa and Asia.
While recycling rates improved by 3% between 2018 and 2023, overall plastic waste generation continued to grow. The report highlights Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as a key factor in driving sustainable waste management, encouraging manufacturers to take responsibility for post-use materials.
Regional data shows steady progress: the EU’s recycling rate rose 5.9% per year, Colombia’s 24.6%, and China’s nearly 6%, supported by policy reforms and new recycling capacity. Programs like the Colombian Plastics Pact and China’s circular economy initiatives were credited for these gains.
Still, only 17% of global plastic waste is collected for recycling, and just 12% is effectively recycled. Low prices for fossil-based plastics and weak regulatory enforcement continue to undermine recycling competitiveness and allow illegal waste exports.
