The potential and limits of recycling plastic wastes in Austria were assessed using ecological, micro- and macroeconomic criteria in a study by the Federal Environment Agency of Austria. The study proved positive effects within the system investigated for all ecological parameters selected : CO2, energy, organic compound emissions, quantities disposed of in landfills. Costing proved positive only for production and non-packaging waste. The combination of ecological and economic effects led to the observation that the new separate collection and recycling scheme presented for packaging waste would still remain slightly negative while considerably improving macroeconomic profitability. A considerable additional potential exists for non-packaging waste recycling in an economical way further concludes the study.