Cyprus is among the European Union countries with the highest use of plastic bottles per capita, according to new data published on Thursday.
The findings come from the European Commission’s first report on the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), based on 2022 data.
Cyprus recorded 16.6 single-use plastic bottles per capita, placing it second in the EU. Only Malta recorded higher usage, at 22.8 bottles per person.
Collection rates below EU average
The report shows that Cyprus’ separate collection rate for single-use beverage bottles stood at 45.62 per cent, significantly below the EU average of 71 per cent.
Several countries, including Germany, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Croatia and Slovakia, have already met the 2025 target of 77 per cent collection, with some also approaching the 2030 target of 90 per cent, largely through deposit return systems.
EU plastic consumption trends
Across the EU in 2022, 524,003 tonnes of disposable food containers and 152,037 tonnes of disposable beverage cups were placed on the market. Around 22,900 tonnes of plastic-containing fishing gear were also introduced, with roughly one-third collected as waste.
The report highlights that the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive aims to reduce marine plastic pollution by targeting the 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items on European beaches.
Measures include bans on items such as cotton buds, cutlery, plates and straws, alongside stricter recycling and waste collection obligations.
Also read: Eurostat projects population growth in Cyprus by 2060
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