- As part of the European Green Deal and the new circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission proposed a revision of The Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (“the PPWD”) in November 2022. The initiative aims to ensure that all packaging is economically feasible for reuse or recyclability by 2030. It seeks to reinforce the essential requirements for packaging to promote the use of recycled content and enhance enforceability. Measures are also envisaged to address over-packaging and reduce packaging waste.
- The directive applies to all packaging and all packaging waste, regardless of the material used.
- The PPWD mandates Member States to implement measures to prevent the generation of packaging waste and to minimize the environmental impact of packaging. They are also required to take measures too.
- Following up to the PPWD, European lawmakers, Parliament and Council, have reached a “provisional agreement” on revamped rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging, increase safety and promoting the circular economy.
- The new measures aim to enhance the safety and sustainability of packaging used in the European Union (“EU”) by mandating recyclability for all packaging, minimizing the presence of harmful substances, reducing unnecessary packaging, promoting the use of recycled content, and improving collection and recycling processes.
- The agreement sets packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040) and requires EU countries to particularly reduce the amount of plastic packaging waste. As per the agreement, certain single-use plastic packaging formats would be prohibited starting from 1 January 2030.
- Negotiators have agreed that all packaging should be recyclable, meeting strict criteria to be defined through secondary legislation.
- According to the deal, measures covering the entire life cycle of packaging, including restrictions on specific formats, aim to reduce waste by advocating for minimal packaging.