The Commission clarifies the rules on the recycling of plastic bottles

The European Commission has today adopted new rules on the recycling of single-use plastic beverage bottles, made mainly from polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These rules establish, for the first time, a methodology for calculating, verifying and reporting on chemically recycled content. This forms part ofthe Commission’s December 2025 plastics package.

The new rules will ensure transparency in the calculation of recycled content in new single-use PET bottles. This is essential for creating a level playing field and providing certainty for investments in the plastics recycling sector. The new rules can be applied to any recycling technology, including chemical and mechanical technologies. This will help Member States to meet the recycled content target set out in theSingle-Use Plastics Directive.

Mechanical recycling is currently the most widely used method for recycling plastics. This method is typically used to sort, clean, shred and reshape plastics to turn them into new products. However, some plastic waste streams cannot be effectively recycled mechanically. This includes, for example, plastic waste containing food residues, additives and mixed materials that reduce its recyclability. In such cases, chemical recycling can complement mechanical recycling. Unlike mechanical recycling, chemical recycling breaks plastics down into smaller molecules, which can be reused as raw materials for new plastics or other chemical products. This helps to reintegrate more plastic waste streams into the circular economy, even for products that must meet high quality standards, such as food-contact packaging.

In the initial phase, the EU will count plastic material originating from the EU and EEA countries as recycled, provided that compliance with EU environmental regulations can be fully verified. From 21 November 2027, recycled plastic from OECD countries will also be counted, unless it is excluded under theWaste Shipment Regulation. Similarly, material from non-OECD countries will be counted where it is covered by agreements guaranteeing equivalent standards in terms of human health and environmental protection, such as theWaste Framework Directiveand thePackaging and Packaging Waste Regulation.

Recycled content is counted towards meeting EU targets on the basis of credible, traceable and environmentally sound standards.

Next steps

The Implementing Act will be published in the Official Journal shortly and will enter into force 20 days later.

Background

In drawing up the Implementation Act, the Commission consulted stake  holderson the proposed new rules.

Representatives of the Member States voted in favour of the Commission’s proposal at a meeting ofthe Technical Adaptation Committee on Waste heldin February 2026. The measure was also notified to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), giving WTO members the opportunity to submit comments.

 

More information: European Commission