In this paper, an analysis of the production and recovery of polymer materials was conducted, focusing mainly on the European Union. Croatia, as a member of the EU is obligated to meet the requirements and high standards of waste management and to utilize the money from the EU funds in order to meet these requirements. The production and consumption of polymers is constantly growing in the world and so does the polymer waste. Polymer waste is one of the major environmental problems. By disposing of it without prior recovery and by exploiting valuable properties landfills are piled up and thus not used for resource purposes. Large quantities end up uncontrolled in the environment, outside landfills, especially in the seas and oceans. The use of landfills, being one of the cheapest but also impractical ways of disposal, is also present in Croatia, as Croatia itself uses landfills to dispose 70 % of its polymer waste. Landfill waste disposal represents especially economic damage. Plastic waste is neutral and it contributes to the stability of the landfill – however it represents ecological problem, too. One solution which is being presented in order to prevent landfill disposal of polymer waste is recycling. The main aim of recycling is the conservation of raw material and reduction of waste. In order to solve the problem of waste in general it is necessary to develop a good waste management system prescribed by the Law on Sustainable Waste Management.