- Article
PPWR: Redefining packaging and its waste
What you need to know about the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
The PPWR is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and circular economy in the EU. The regulation will set targets for waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable material use. It brings opportunities for innovation and growth for the packaging material industry and its customers. How should you act to become a winner post PPWR? Here’s a glimpse of the winds of change for European packaging.
What is it all about?
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is a newly proposed legislation in the European Union (EU) to revise the current packaging and packaging waste directive. The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) has existed since 1994. It has been updated several times but has yet to effectively prevent the increase in packaging waste or reduce its environmental impact. To address this, the European Commission has proposed a more ambitious regulation.
What’s the status?
PPWR was adopted by the European Parliament on April 24, 2024, but it has yet to be in force. The final step is for the new legislation to be confirmed by the new parliament and the EU Council, which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024.
What are the key objectives?
- Harmonized rules: By implementing a regulation instead of a directive, the aim is to create a unified set of rules across the EU, facilitating the free movement of goods and harmonizing the market.
- Reduce packaging waste: The regulation aims to decrease the amount of packaging waste generated in the EU and promote reusable and recyclable packaging solutions.
- Increase high-quality recycling: This means increasing processes that help maintaining the material’s original quality as much as possible. PPWR sets a goal for all packaging on the EU market to be recyclable in an economically sustainable way by 2030.
What are the main measures and effects?
- Waste reduction: Based on 2018 levels, EU countries must reduce packaging waste per capita by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040.
- Mandatory labeling: Packaging must be labeled with material composition, sorting instructions, and reuse instructions where applicable. Reusable packaging will also require a QR code.
- Reuse and refill: Targets for reuse of different packaging types with specific percentages to be achieved by 2030 and 2040, depending on the type of packaging. NB: The reuse targets for transport packaging do not apply for cardboard.
- Bans on certain packaging formats: From 2030, specific plastic packaging, such as shrink wrap and packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kg, will be banned in most cases.
- Recyclable packaging: By 2038, all packaging in the EU must be recyclable at scale, and there must be clear design criteria for recycling.
- Recycled content: Plastic packaging must contain a certain percentage of recycled material by 2030, with higher targets for 2040. This does not apply for medical packaging.
- Packaging minimization: Maximum 40% empty space ratio for grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging by 2030. This does not apply for transport packaging made of cardboard.
- Compostable packaging: Certain packaging must be compostable within three years of the regulation's entry into force.
What are the opportunities?
- Innovation: Development of new, sustainable materials and more efficient recycling processes.
- Competitive advantage: Companies that adapt quickly can gain market share and strengthen their brand as environmentally friendly.
- Consumer demand: Increased demand for sustainable consumer packaging can drive the market.