In celebration of Recycling Day, we ask the question: how well do we actually recycle? The Netherlands and Belgium have high recycling rates, but also run into challenges. What exactly are these? And how is the rest of the EU doing? You can read about it in this blog.
Netherlands
With a 78% recycling rate, the Netherlands is in the top 3 in Europe when it comes to recycling, along with Belgium and Germany. This good percentage is largely because waste streams are separated and processed, but that does not mean all the recycled material is reused in production processes. For example, much of the construction and demolition waste collected is used as foundation material in road construction, while only 15% of the materials in all industries in the Netherlands are actually recycled into new raw materials for production.
The Netherlands does not perform well only because of the construction sector. The recycling of packaging waste and materials such as paper and cardboard also contribute greatly to these high figures. For example, 88% of packaging waste is recycled or reused. The percentage is well above the legal target of 72%, set in the Netherlands to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and encourage producers to use more sustainable materials.
In addition, the following percentages are known:
- Paper and cardboard: The recycling rate is around 80%, making the Netherlands one of the best performing countries in Europe. Old paper and cardboard are mostly reprocessed into packaging material.
- Metals: Almost 95% of collected metals are recycled.
- Glass: The Netherlands has a strong glass recycling system, with a collection rate above 90%. This is due to a well-organized infrastructure with glass containers throughout the country and efficient processing, where collected glass is sorted, cleaned and can be recycled without loss of quality.
- Plastic: In the Netherlands, less than 45% of plastic packaging material is currently recycled. This percentage is above the European average of 35%. The other half of plastic waste is incinerated.
- VGF: Approximately 60% of vegetable, fruit and garden waste is collected separately. This VGF waste is processed mainly through composting, producing biogas and compost.
Challenges in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is facing a plastic recycling crisis. Newly produced plastic (virgin plastic) often remains cheaper than recycled plastic. This is due to low oil prices, which make the production of new plastic attractive. In addition, virgin plastic offers consistency quality, unlike recycled plastic. This results in insufficient demand for recyclate, leaving recyclers facing financial uncertainties.
The Blending Obligation, which mandates a minimum percentage of recycled plastic in new products, should strengthen the recyclate market. Because it does not take full effect until 2030, recyclers are now experiencing financial pressure while demand for recyclate remains low.
In an effort to save the industry, Volt MP Marieke Koekkoek introduced a motion in December 2024. This called on the cabinet to provide temporary financial support to recycling companies until the Blending Obligation was fully in place.
In January 2025, it became clear that about €100 million in subsidies would be needed to help recycling companies through this difficult period. This amount could be funded from various sources, including the Climate Fund. Despite the passed motion and the outlined funding options, no concrete bridge funding has materialized to date. Consequently, the industry remains in limbo, resulting in bankruptcies.
Belgium
Belgium is also among the European leaders in recycling. In 2022, 80% was recycled - the highest rate in Europe. Belgium's high recycling rates are due to the producer responsibility system(EPR). Under this system, producers are responsible for the waste management of the packaging they put on the market.
In addition, landfills have largely disappeared thanks to landfill bans and high taxes on waste incineration. In Flanders, there is a rate of €25 per ton for burning waste. In the Netherlands, it is €39.23.
Belgium is also doing well looking at material recycling.
- Paper and cardboard: Belgium recycles 86% of paper and cardboard waste, similar to the Netherlands.
- Metals: Metal packaging is 96% recycled.
- Glass: With a recycling rate of 98%, Belgium is among the top in Europe. This is due to the many glass containers and efficient collection systems. In addition, the producer responsibility system (EPR) encourages companies to use recyclable materials and contribute to a circular glass industry.
- Plastic: Belgium scores better here with a 54% recycling rate than the Netherlands (45%). This is due to the deployment of advanced sorting technologies, which accurately separate plastic packaging.
- GFT: In Flanders, 65.6% of household waste is recycled or composted, including vegetable, fruit and garden (GFT) waste.
Challenges in Belgium
Belgium is among the European leaders in recycling, but regional differences in waste policy and collection present challenges. Flanders achieves a recycling rate of 62.3%, while Wallonia is at 43.6% and Brussels only at 39%. This difference can be explained by differences in sorting obligations, waste infrastructure and regulations.
For example, Flanders has a strong waste separation structure with strict sorting obligations. Companies here must offer 22 specific waste streams, including foils and Styrofoam, separately. In addition, since 2024 there is a sorting obligation for kitchen waste and food scraps, which promotes the circular processing of organic waste.
In Brussels and Wallonia, the rules are less uniform. Until recently, for example, separate GFT collection was not mandatory in Brussels, so organic waste often ended up in the residual waste stream and was incinerated. In addition, these regions have different sorting regulations and less extensive waste separation options for businesses and households. In Brussels, for example, businesses are not allowed to use municipal waste collection, while in Flanders they can under certain conditions.
The European Union
Recycling rates vary greatly from country to country. Western and Northern European countries often score higher on the recycling rate, than Southern and Eastern European countries, where recycling is more developed.
In many countries with lower recycling rates, much of the waste is landfilled. In Romania, 70% of municipal waste was landfilled and in Greece it was around 80%. This is because sustainable treatment methods such as recycling are less accessible or financially attractive.
A major reason for this is less stringent legislation. For example, the Netherlands and Belgium have the aforementioned landfill ban on recyclable and combustible waste streams. In addition, high landfill taxes encourage companies and municipalities to choose alternative treatment methods. Many southern and eastern European countries lack similar regulations or have low landfill tariffs. As a result, landfilling often remains the cheapest option.
EU legislation and targets
To encourage recycling and reduce waste, the EU has established several directives and targets, including the Waste Framework Directive. These directives should contribute to a circular economy, promoting reuse and recycling and reducing waste incineration and landfill.
By 2035, at least 65% of municipal waste must be recycled. Some countries, such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, are already achieving this standard, while others, such as Romania and Greece, are still lagging behind to meet the target.
In addition, the EU has determined that by 2035 only a maximum of 10% of municipal waste should end up in landfills.
Although this legislation is EU-wide, countries are responsible for implementation within their own national regulations. As a result, progress varies greatly from country to country.
Challenges in the EU
Many EU countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, export plastic waste to other countries such as Turkey and Asian countries. This happens mainly because the recycling capacity within Europe is insufficient to process all the plastic collected.
Certain types of plastic waste (such as low-grade and mixed plastics) in the EU more difficult to recycle. These plastics are often composed of multiple materials, making them difficult to separate and mechanically process. European recyclers mainly accept clean, sorted plastics. Therefore, this type of waste is more often exported to countries with lower processing costs.
The Netherlands and Belgium export plastic waste to countries including Malaysia and Indonesia. Many countries to which EU waste goes have less stringent environmental regulations and controls. As a result, some of the exported waste still ends up in illegal landfills.
Still, importing countries are getting stricter. China banned plastic waste imports in 2018, and other countries such as Malaysia and Turkey have since also tightened rules. In Malaysia , containers of non-recyclable plastic waste are being sent back to the country of origin. ER is dumping less plastic waste in Asian countries and controls are increasing. At the same time, the pressure on European waste treatment infrastructure is increasing. The EU has insufficient capacity to process plastic waste, much of it is incinerated or landfilled.
To address this challenge, the EU has taken several measures. The European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy aims to ensure that all plastic packaging can be reused or recycled by 2030. There is also a ban on certain single-use plastic products.
Read also
Plastic Tax: What you need to know
Recycling starts with waste separation
Recycling can only be successful if waste is properly separated from its source. This means separating waste directly into the right waste stream as early as where it is generated - in offices, factories or households. The better the separation, the higher the quality of the recyclate and the greater the chance of reuse. Contaminated or improperly sorted waste can interfere with the recycling process, eventually resulting in incineration or ending up in landfills.
Efficient waste separation starts with awareness. Much recyclable waste goes to waste because it is not always clear which material belongs in which bin. Research shows that 67% of Dutch people throw an item in the residual waste when in doubt about which bin it belongs in.
Download our waste separation posters here .
From recycling to proper disposal
Recycling is near the bottom of the R-ladder, which for us is a circular guideline. Therefore, we always look to see if there is a higher-value solution, such as reuse or repair. Because the higher up the ladder, the better raw materials are conserved. That doesn't mean we write off recycling-quite the contrary. In some cases, it offers a valuable solution, especially as opportunities continue to expand. For example, through one of our partners, paper can be recycled not seven, but up to 25 times. And even medical waste, previously mostly incinerated, is given a second life through a partner in our network.
Which processing method is most suitable depends on the whole picture: the energy it takes, the transport and the impact compared to new material. Only by considering all these factors can you make a truly informed choice. After all, we see waste as a raw material that has lost its way-and together with our partners, help it on the right path.
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