The European Parliament (EP) is preparing a new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which aims to increase sustainability in the area of packaging waste.
The upcoming Regulation deals with the entire life cycle of packaging.
After approval by the EP Council, the Regulation is expected to enter into force in autumn 2024.
The aim of the Regulation is:
- reduction of the negative impact of packaging on the environment:
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- reducing the amount of packaging placed on the market,
- increasing the reuse of packaging,
- further restriction of the use of certain types of disposable plastic packaging,
- ban on the use of the so-called of eternal chemicals in food packaging,
- maintaining the goals of minimum recycled content in plastic packaging for the years 2030 and 2040,
- by 2029 ensure the sorted collection of at least 90% of single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers per year (back-up systems),
- innovation of manufacturers’ and distributors’ packaging to meet the strict criteria of the regulation.
RECYCLABILITY
All packaging must be recyclable. If at least 70% of the packaging is not recyclable, it cannot be marketed.
The ambition of the regulation is to support recycling in the form of ecomodulation – an effective economic tool for stimulating a more sustainable concept of packaging. The regulation does not consider the regulation of the amount of fees at the EU level.
A related topic of increasing packaging recycling is the harmonization of packaging labeling throughout the EU. The upcoming unification of packaging labeling will simplify sorting for the final consumer, thereby increasing the amount of packaging for recycling.
MANDATORY CONTENT OF RECYCLED INGREDIENTS IN PLASTICS
The regulation prepares a mandatory content of recycled content in plastic packaging, up to 65% in some cases.
MANDATORY TARGETS FOR REUSABLE PACKAGING
A strong emphasis is placed on the use of reusable packaging, including the promotion of own packaging in the gastro sector. The aim is to significantly reduce the generation of packaging waste by setting new binding reuse targets until 2030 and indicative targets until 2040.
The goals vary depending on the type of packaging:
- packaging for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (with the exception of wine, flavored wines, milk and other perishable beverages),
- transport and consumer packaging (except for packaging used to transport dangerous goods or large equipment, as well as flexible packaging in direct contact with food) and group packaging. Cardboard packaging is also generally exempt from these requirements.
The agreement introduces a general renewable exemption from achieving reuse targets for a period of five years. The new rules exempt micro-enterprises from achieving the goals. The possibility of achieving the goals of reusing beverage packaging for economic entities is being introduced by creating an association of up to five final distributors.
LIMITATION OF FREE SPACE IN PACKAGING
The regulation prepares the limitation of free space in the case of group packaging, transport packaging and packaging in the e-commerce segment by setting a maximum ratio of empty space of 50% with the aim of reducing the volume of unnecessary packaging. Requirement for manufacturers and importers to minimize the weight and volume of packaging, except for packaging with a protected design.
SORTED COLLECTION OF DISPOSABLE BEVERAGE PACKAGING
By 2029, member states will ensure the sorted collection of at least 90% of single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers per year. To achieve this, they must establish backup systems for these packaging formats. The minimum requirements for back-up systems will not apply to systems that were put in place before the entry into force of the regulation, if the relevant systems reach the 90% target by 2029.
Exemption from the requirement to introduce an advance system for member states that in 2026 achieve a rate of sorted collection of over 80% and if they submit a plan to achieve the target of sorted collection at the level of 90%.
SUPPLEMENT TO DIRECTIVE 2019/904/EC ON THE RESTRICTION OF THE USE OF CERTAIN PLASTIC PRODUCTS
The Regulation also complements Directive 2019/904/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (SUP Directive) on the restriction of the use of certain plastic products by adding a ban on food containers made of extruded polystyrene (XPS) (beverage packaging and beverage cups).
Restrictions are also introduced for certain packaging formats, including single-use plastic packaging for fruit, vegetables, food and beverages, condiments, sauces and for small cosmetic and toiletry products used in the accommodation sector, as well as very light plastic bags.
ETERNAL CHEMICALS AND FOOD PACKAGING
The requirements for substances present in packaging are being tightened. The listing of packaging coming into contact with food containing PFAS substances (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl) above the established threshold values is limited.
COMPOSTABILITY
Some specific packaging (e.g. tea bags, fruit stickers, etc.) will need to be compostable.
