The EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation entered into force on 11 February, with new measures to tackle the environmental challenges caused by excessive packaging.
Packaging is an ever-increasing source of waste in the EU. The EU total increased from 66 million tonnes in 2009 to 84 million tonnes in 2021, when each European generated 188.7 kg of packaging waste – expected to increase to 209 kg in 2030 if there were no additional measures.
The new regulation is expected to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions, water use and environmental costs in the packaging industry.
In parallel, the regulation should create opportunities for the recycling and sustainability sectors. This is an important step towards a more circular, sustainable and competitive economy for the EU.
The new measures aim to develop a single market for waste, secondary and reusable materials; promote recycling; and reduce dependency on primary resources. They include promoting reuse or refill as alternatives to single-use packaging, and improving consumer information. Packaging will be more sustainable and enable consumers to reuse and sort their packaging waste more effectively, with solutions customised to the specific needs of Member States and businesses.
The PPWR establishes a new set of requirements in line with Europe’s waste rules that cover the entire packaging life cycle – from product design to waste handling.
By 2030, the measures are expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water use, while preventing and reducing the adverse impacts of packaging and packaging waste on the environment and human health.
The new rules include:
- Restrictions on certain single-use plastics, such as pre-packed fruit and veg weighing less than 1.5 kg and individual portions of condiments, sauces, and sugar in hotels, bars and restaurants.
- Minimising the weight and volume of packaging and avoiding unnecessary packaging.
- 2030 and 2040 targets for a minimum percentage of recycled content in packaging.
- A requirement for take-away businesses to offer customers the option to bring their own containers at no extra cost.
- Minimising substances of concern, including restrictions on packaging containing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) if they exceed certain thresholds.
