From 1990 to the present day, the principal regulatory framework governing packaging and its disposal in the European Union has been the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), which has undergone multiple revisions over the years.
In 2022, as part of the EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission adopted a more ambitious stance on packaging and packaging waste. This led to the introduction of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).
The EU aims to further mitigate the environmental impact of packaging in alignment with its goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As per the Commission’s proposal, the general approach outlines overarching targets for reducing packaging waste based on 2018 levels: 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040.
These targets will undergo a review by the Commission eight years after the regulation comes into effect.
Currently, the European Parliament and the Council are in the final stages of the adoption process. The final text is expected to be adopted in the coming weeks (as of April 2024) and will be published in the following months.
Commenting on the PPWR in December 2023, Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Spanish third vice-president of the government and minister for the ecological transition and the demographic challenge, said, “190kg of packaging waste was generated by each European in 2021. And this figure will grow by nearly 20% in 2030, if things stay the same.
“We cannot let that happen. [This] general approach gives a strong message that the EU is committed to reducing and preventing packaging waste from all sources. This regulation is crucial in our path to a circular economy and a climate-neutral Europe.”
Core objectives
The PPWR seeks to reduce the environmental impact of packaging while standardising packaging regulations across the EU. It aims to achieve this by preventing the generation of packaging waste, reducing the amount of packaging waste generated, introducing restrictions on packaging use, and promoting reusable and refillable packaging solutions.
Furthermore, the PPWR targets making all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable manner by 2030. Additionally, the regulation will focus on adopting harmonised rules.
This includes implementing EU-wide regulations on labelling, void space, and mandatory recycled content to ensure a level playing field across the EU, with consistent rules applied to all.
Setting targets
The PPWR establishes targets for waste reduction for EU member states and mandates targets for businesses to reuse specific categories of packaging. It also imposes bans on certain types of single-use packaging and mandates requirements to minimise packaging usage.
Furthermore, the regulation requires mandatory labels on packaging to include material composition and EU-harmonised sorting instructions. These instructions will also need to be displayed on bins. Additionally, reuse instructions must be provided where applicable, and a mandatory QR code for reusable packaging is required.
Reuse targets and refill obligations apply to various types of packaging, including food and drink, grouped packaging, transport packaging, and e-commerce packaging. However, cardboard packaging is exempt from all reuse targets.
Starting from 2023, only reusable packaging should be used for transport packaging between different sites belonging to the same business or between different businesses within the same EU country.
For other types of transport packaging, including e-commerce, at least 40% reusable packaging must be used by 2030, and at least 70% by 2040.
Grouped packaging, which is used to group sales units together, must have at least 10% reusable packaging by 2030 and at least 25% by 2040. Additionally, for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (excluding milk, wine, and some spirits), at least 10% reusable packaging is required by 2030, increasing to at least 40% by 2040.
Plastic packaging
Starting January 1, 2030, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation will enforce several bans on specific types of plastic packaging.
This includes bans on plastic packaging like shrink wrap and collation film when used for grouping products to promote joint purchase, plastic packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables weighing below 1.5kg (with some exceptions yet to be determined), and plastic packaging used for food and beverages consumed in hospitality sector premises, such as plastic trays and cups.
Additionally, bans will be imposed on individual sachets for sauces, preserves, sugar, etc., packaging of miniature cosmetics, toiletries, and hygiene products in the accommodation sector, and very lightweight plastic bags.
Furthermore, by 2029, member states must ensure the separate collection of at least 90% annually of single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers. This necessitates the establishment of deposit return systems (DRS) for those packaging formats.
Recycling commitment
By 2030, all packaging in the EU will be required to be recyclable, and must comply with Design for Recycling criteria, which will be outlined in additional legislation. Additionally, Extended Producer Responsibility fees levied on businesses will be determined based on the recyclability performance grades, ranging from A to C.
Moreover, there will be mandatory minimum recycled content requirements for plastic packaging by 2030. Contact-sensitive packaging made from PET must contain at least 30% recycled content, while similar packaging made from other plastic materials must have a minimum of 10% recycled content.
Single-use plastic beverage bottles must contain at least 30% recycled content, and other plastic packaging must have a minimum of 35% recycled content.
Read more: Four in five consumers ‘don’t prioritise sustainable packaging’, study finds
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