On 16th of December, the EU Council formally adopted the Package and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), aimed at reducing packaging waste and promoting sustainability. The rules set binding targets for re-use, restrict specific single-use packaging types, and require businesses to minimize packaging across its entire life cycle.
Table of Contents
Safe, Sustainable, and Recyclable Packaging
The regulation introduces ambitious standards for sustainable packaging, including:
- Binding targets for recycled content, such as a 65 % minimum for single-use plastic bottles by 2040.
- Weight and volume reductions in packaging to avoid unnecessary materials.
- Restrictions on harmful substances, including limits on PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) in food packaging.
- New labelling requirements to inform consumers about material composition and recycled content.
Recyclable Packaging Standards
A key provision of the PPWR is Article 6, which establishes rigorous criteria for recyclable packaging. Under this article, all packaging placed on the market must be recyclable, ensuring it can be collected, sorted, and processed into secondary raw materials. Packaging recyclability is evaluated through performance grades (A, B, or C), and only packaging within these grades will be permitted on the market from 2030. By 2038, only packaging achieving grades A or B will be allowed. These measures aim to promote high-quality recycling practices and reduce the environmental footprint of packaging waste.
Restrictions on Single-Use Plastic Packaging
To address the environmental impact of single-use plastics, the new regulation restricts several items, including:
- Pre-packed fruit and vegetable packaging under 1.5 kg.
- Food and drink packaging for on-site consumption in hotels, bars, and restaurants.
- Individual condiment packets and small toiletry bottles commonly used in hospitality settings.
- Very lightweight plastic bags, often provided for bulk groceries at markets.
Re-Use Targets and Refill Obligations
The regulation introduces binding re-use targets for 2030 and indicative goals for 2040. For instance, 40 % of transport and sales packaging must be reusable by 2030. Additionally, grouped packaging, such as secondary wrapping for products, will need to meet a 10 % re-use target.
Takeaway businesses will also be required to offer customers the option to use their own containers for food and beverages without incurring additional charges, promoting a culture of re-use.
A Long-Awaited Replacement and The Next Step
The regulation replaces the 1994 Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, which has undergone several revisions but failed to achieve its waste reduction goals. Recognizing the shortcomings of the current framework, the European Commission proposed the updated regulation in November 2022.
You can find the Council’s official press release here.
