{"id":99973,"date":"2025-03-18T11:48:36","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T10:48:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/?p=99973"},"modified":"2025-03-28T16:53:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T15:53:55","slug":"world-recycling-day-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packaging-journal.de\/en\/welt-recycling-tag-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"World Recycling Day 2025: Progress and challenges in packaging recycling"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On the occasion of today's World Recycling Day (18 March), the focus is on current developments in packaging recycling. While increasing recycling rates show a positive trend, correct waste separation remains a decisive factor for a functioning circular economy. New figures from the Federal Environment Agency and a recent consumer survey by Pro Carton illustrate progress and challenges.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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According to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), a total of 5.5 million tonnes of packaging waste from private households was recycled in 2023. The mechanical recycling of plastic packaging in particular has improved: it rose from 42.1 1TP3 tonnes in 2018 to 68.9 1TP3 tonnes in 2023. Nevertheless, the actual recycling rate for plastic packaging remains below the target at 48.4 1TP3 tonnes.<\/p>

\u201eWe must not only continue to increase recycling rates, but also ensure that recycled materials are used again in high-quality applications. This is the only way a true circular economy can work\u201c,<\/b> emphasised the Federal Environment Agency at the end of January. Incorrect waste separation, which makes recycling more difficult, continues to be particularly problematic.<\/span><\/p>

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Cardboard packaging as a pioneer of the circular economy<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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While the recycling rates for plastic packaging fall short of expectations, paper and cardboard packaging has a significantly higher recyclability. According to the Federal Environment Agency, the recycling rate for paper, cardboard and paperboard in Germany is 85.1 %. A recent survey by Pro Carton also confirms this trend across Europe: with a recycling rate of 83.2 %, fibre-based packaging plays a leading role.<\/p>

\u201eCardboard packaging is not waste, but a valuable resource for the production of new packaging materials\u201c, explains Winfried M\u00fchling, Director of Marketing and Communication at Pro Carton. <\/span>\u201eBy collecting and recycling cardboard packaging, we can further strengthen the circular economy and reduce our dependence on new raw materials.\u201c<\/p>