As revealed by Eurostat on Tuesday 12 November, 4.7 billion fewer plastic bags were consumed in the EU in 2022 than in 2021, with a total of 29.8 billion plastic bags consumed in 2022. On average, each person consumed 10.8 fewer plastic bags in 2022 than in 2021. In the EU, in 2022, each person consumed 66.6 plastic bags. Lithuanians (249 bags per person per year), Latvians (193) and Czechs (185) are the biggest consumers. In comparison, Belgium (4), Poland (7) and Portugal (13) are the best performers. The plastic bag directive aims to reduce the number of plastic bags consumed per person to 40 by the end of 2025. All Member States have put measures in place, according to Eurostat. (FS)