The amount of packaging waste has decreased in recent years
In Estonia, 150 kilograms of packaging waste per resident, or a total of 199,588 tonnes, was generated in 2021. In recent years, the amount of packaging waste has dropped by approx. 2-3% per year, mainly by glass and plastic. While the amount of plastic packaging waste has started to decline, the amount of paper and cardboard packaging waste has been growing. With the adoption of the single-use plastic directive, which should limit the consumption of single-use plastic products, we can hope that this trend will continue. Some plastic packaging has been replaced by paper and cardboard packaging and reusable packaging is becoming more widespread. Of the generated packaging waste, 40% is paper and cardboard, 25% plastic, 18% glass, 11% wood and 6% metal.