Name: Which EU countries recycle the most raw materials?
Uploaded: 2025-11-21T14:41:28.625Z
Duration: 1 min 30 s
Description: Raw material recycling rates have been stalling... Will the EU reach its 2030 target?

Raw material recycling rates have been stalling... Will the EU reach its 2030 target?

The Netherlands recycles nearly 33% of its raw materials, making it the EU leader in material recycling, followed by Belgium and Italy. In contrast, Romania, Finland, and Ireland have the lowest recycling rates, with Romania at just 1.3%.

Despite some countries showing significant improvements, overall EU recycling rates have increased by only 1% over the past decade. The slow progress and declining rates in several countries make it increasingly difficult for the EU to reach its 2030 target of a 23.2% recycling rate.

Which EU countries recycle the most raw materials?

Which EU countries have the highest raw material recycling rates? Around 12% of materials used in the EU's economy are recycled, thus avoiding the extraction of new raw materials. One country is way ahead of the rest. It's the Netherlands, which recycles nearly 33% of its materials. Neighbouring Belgium comes in second place with 22.7%. Italy is nearly level in third place with almost 22%. At the bottom of the table, with the lowest recycling rate, is Romania with just 1.3%, followed by Finland and Ireland, both at 2%. General progress on recycling across the EU hasn't been outstanding in the past decade. Between 2015 and 2014, the rate increased by only 1%, and that means that reaching the 2030 target of 23.2% is getting more and more difficult. In six countries, recycling rates have been decreasing over the past decade, particularly in Poland and Finland. On the other hand, Malta showed a considerable 14% growth in recycled materials. Estonia also performed very well, with 9% more since 2014, followed by the Czech Republic at almost 8%.

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