EU new packaging rules

The EC is proposing new rules on packaging, saying that without action, the EU would see a further 19 per cent increase in packaging waste by 2030, and for plastic packaging waste even a 46 per cent increase.

The proposals are key building blocks of the European Green Deal's Circular Economy Action Plan and will put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050.

The proposed revision of the EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste has three main objectives. First, to prevent the generation of packaging waste: reduce it in quantity, restrict unnecessary packaging and promote reusable and refillable packaging solutions. Second, to boost high quality (‘closed loop') recycling: make all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. And finally, to reduce the need for primary natural resources and create a well-functioning market for secondary raw materials, increasing the use of recycled plastics in packaging through mandatory targets.

The headline target is to reduce packaging waste by 15 per cent by 2040 per Member State per capita, compared to 2018. This would lead to an overall waste reduction in the EU of some 37 per cent compared to a scenario without changing the legislation. It will happen through both reuse and recycling.

To foster reuse or refill of packaging, which has declined steeply in the last 20 years, companies will have to offer a certain percentage of their products to consumers in reusable or refillable packaging, certain forms of packaging will be banned, there will be a mandatory deposit return systems for plastic bottles and aluminium cans and a mandatory rate of recycled content that producers have to include in new plastic packaging.

The proposal on packaging and packaging waste will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council, in the ordinary legislative procedure.

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