Modelling plastic product flows and recycling in the EU : the plastic product mass flow model 2.0

The European Commission is supporting initiatives to increase the use of recycled plastics in Europe to 10 million tonnes (Mt) per year by 2025, but there is still a considerable way to go before achieving this goal. Studies estimate that only an amount between 3.5-5.6 Mt of recyclates is currently directed back into products. The objective of the present study is to improve the quality of data and the modelling of plastics mass flows in Europe. This report describes a second iteration of a Plastic Product Mass Flow Model which is based on public data sources and inputs from the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA), for the reference year 2019. The modelled results for 2019 are in the range of values found in other studies, while providing a dynamic tool for industry players to take forward, update, and improve over time.