What percentage of recycling actually gets recycled in Europe?

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the recycling rate for all waste (including plastic, paper, glass, and metal) in the European Union was approximately 47% in 2018, according to Eurostat. This means that almost half of all waste generated in the EU was recycled.

However, the recycling rate can vary significantly between different types of waste and different countries. For example, the recycling rate for plastic packaging waste in the EU was around 42% in 2018, according to the European Environment Agency.

It’s also important to note that not all waste that is collected for recycling is ultimately recycled. Some of it may be contaminated or not suitable for recycling and may end up being incinerated or sent to landfill.

For the most current and accurate data, I recommend checking the latest reports or statistics from reliable sources such as Eurostat or the European Environment Agency.