SUP Report 2026: What the European Commission’s analysis reveals about single‑use plastics in Europe
The European Commission publishes the first comprehensive report on the implementation of the SUP (Single‑Use Plastics) Directive, analyzing the data reported by Member States for the year 2022.
The result: 128 billion plastic cups and 111 billion food containers placed on the European market every year.
Why is this relevant for companies in Romania?
The SUP 2026 Report clearly shows Europe’s direction: reducing the consumption of single‑use plastics and increasing separate collection.
For producers and importers, these data become an indicator of future PPWR and EPR requirements.
Romania must accelerate the implementation of DRS systems and improve data traceability.
What does the report show?
- 152,037 tonnes of plastic from beverage cups
- 524,003 tonnes of plastic from food containers
- 71% separate collection rate for bottles (2025 target = 77%)
- 10 out of 12 states that reached the target had DRS systems in place
The report also highlights key challenges: major differences between Member States, lack of reporting uniformity and administrative delays.
What comes next for the European market?
The SUP Directive becomes the foundation for the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
Data quality and collection infrastructure will become performance criteria, not just compliance obligations.
Full article and official document — available on SustainabilityPro
The full analysis of COM(2026)160 final – Report on SUP items and fishing gear is available exclusively to Reciclad’OR partners on the sustainabilitypro.ro platform.
Access includes details on measures, targets, DRS systems and the evolution of the SUP Directive across 29 European states.
Reciclad’OR, your trusted OIREP partner, continuously monitors European legislative developments and brings partners the most relevant updates in recycling and compliance.
Reciclad’OR is one of the most important OIREP-type organizations in Romania, with expertise in responsibility transfer, collection and recycling, environmental consulting, and circular economy.
If you are a producer, importer, or retailer and want to understand how to efficiently fulfill your recycling responsibilities, we are here!
