Slovakia belongs to the top European Union (EU) countries in the recycling of plastic packaging waste. This success is also a success of the responsible producers who cover the recycling fees and who finance the system by producer responsibility organizations (PRO).
On behalf of the PRO NATUR-PACK we therefore thank to all our clients (producers) for performing their duties conscientiously.
The PROs just from the producers' fees ensure the collection and recovery of waste from different materials including plastic packaging. We understand e.g. PET bottles, packaging of cosmetic products, packaging for foodstuffs, wrapping foils etc. as a plastic packaging products.
EUROSTAT published on January 13th, 2021, the data (covering the year 2018) on the achieved level of plastic packaging waste recovery in the EU member states. In average, 41.5 % of plastic packaging waste were recycled in the EU. Seven member countries reached the recycling rate higher than 50 %, Slovakia being one of them (51.4 %). Only the Czech Republic was better within the V4 countries (57 %), Poland and Hungary followed us (35.7 % and 30 %, respectively). (See the graphical presentation of selected EU countries.)
Plastic packaging recycling rate per year 2018
The plastic packaging producers who fulfill their legal obligations resulting from the extended producer responsibility by means of PRO contribute also to the achievement of targets of Slovakia in the sector of plastic packaging waste recycling, and the recycled volumes enter to the achievement of recycling rate of municipal waste.
The level of waste separation was subject to lot of writing and speaking, mostly unflattering. While we excel in achieving the recycling rate of plastic packaging, Slovakia has substantial reserves in the total balance of recycling rate of the municipal waste. This balance can be improved by increased recycling of packaging waste and waste from non-packaging products reached during the last years, however, the achievement of targets does not depend solely on this factor.
NATUR-PACK Team
