The European Commission decided to open infringement procedures by sending a letter of formal notice to Germany (INFR(2026)2137), Greece (INFR(2026)2138), and Cyprus (INFR(2026)2139), and to send a reasoned opinion to Bulgaria (INFR(2024)2128), Czechia (INFR(2024)2137), Greece (INFR(2024)2132), Spain(INFR(2024)2147), Croatia (INFR(2024)2133), Cyprus (INFR(2024)2131), Hungary (INFR(2024)2134), Malta (INFR(2024)2135), Poland (INFR(2024)2126), Portugal (INFR(2024)2145) and Romania (INFR(2024)2136) for failing to meet several waste recycling targets, based on the latest available data reported by Member States.
The Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC on waste as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851) sets legally binding targets for preparing for reuse and recycling of municipal waste. Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal and Romania have failed to meet the 50% target of preparing for reuse and recycling of municipal waste (such as paper, metal, plastic and glass) which was to be reached by 2020.
In parallel, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (Directive 94/62/EC as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/852) applies to all packaging distributed within the European market and any resulting packaging waste. By 31 December 2008, it required that between 55% and 80% of all packaging waste must be recycled. The established recycling goals for various materials include 60% for glass, 60% for paper and cardboard, 50% for metals, 22.5% for plastics, and 15% for wood. Seven Member States have failed to meet several targets for 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023: Croatia missed the targets for total packaging, glass and metals; Cyprus and Portugal missed the target for glass; Greece, Romania and Hungary missed the targets for total packaging and glass; and Malta missed the targets for total packaging, paper and cardboard and metals.
Achieving these targets is essential to foster the single market for secondary raw material and enhance circularity. This will contribute to reducing the EU's dependence on third countries and fostering its competitiveness. Increased reuse and recycling also minimise the quantities of waste generated and reduce landfilling, further supporting resource efficiency, circularity and strategic autonomy within the EU. Member States need to boost their implementation efforts to meet the abovementioned obligations, also in view of the increased targets which apply as of 2025, 2030 and 2035 respectively.
Based on new data pointing to failure to reach waste targets, the Commission decided to initiate infringement procedures by sending letters of formal notice to Germany, Greece and Cyprus which now have two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of satisfactory responses, the Commission may decide to issue reasoned opinions.
In addition, the Commission already issued letters of formal notice to Bulgaria, Czechia, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal and Romania in July 2024. As the failure to reach the concerned targets persists, the Commission has decided to send a reasoned opinion to those countries, which now has two months to respond and take the necessary measures. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the cases to the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Source: full European Commission summary on July infringements package available here