European Parliament and Council lawmakers have reached a provisional agreement on a new set of sustainable packaging rules, aimed at tackling the increasing problem of packaging waste within the EU and promoting a circular economy. The agreement includes a target for all packaging to be fully recyclable by 2030.
The initiative comes following a proposal by the European Commission in November 2022 to update the EU’s regulation on packaging and packaging waste. The Commission highlighted that packaging waste had reached 180 kg per person per year in Europe, with projections indicating a further 19% increase by 2030, and a staggering 46% rise in plastic packaging waste.
Packaging currently constitutes 40% of plastics and 50% of paper used in the EU.
Under the new agreement, member states will be required to meet packaging reduction targets of 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040 through measures such as re-use and recycling. Additionally, there will be a focus on reducing the amount of plastic waste.
The regulation also includes a ban on certain single-use plastic packaging formats, including packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as food and beverage packaging used in cafés and restaurants. Targets for reusable packaging will be set for sectors such as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as transport and sales packaging.
Furthermore, the legislation will mandate additional re-use and recycling targets, including ensuring the separate collection of at least 90% of single-use plastic bottles and metal beverage containers through deposit return systems. Food take-away businesses will be required to offer customers the option to bring their own containers for beverages or ready-prepared food, with no extra charge. By 2030, these businesses should aim to offer 10% of their products in reusable packaging formats.
Notable updates to the agreed text from the Commission’s initial proposal include slight relaxations on the minimum recycled content in plastic packaging rules, exempting compostable plastic packaging and packaging with plastic components representing less than 5% of the packaging’s total weight. Additionally, a ban on the use of PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” in food contact packaging has been introduced.
The provisional agreement must now be formally approved by the Council and Parliament before becoming law.