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New rules for more sustainable packaging in the EU

EU Parliament and Council reach provisional agreement on the planned European Packaging Regulation (PPWR)

News Bild EU Parliament and Council reach provisional agreement on the planned European Packaging Regulation (PPWR)

The European Parliament and the European Council have reached a provisional agreement on the planned European Packaging Regulation (PPWR). Packaging used in the EU is to become safer and more sustainable, for example by limiting the use of harmful substances and making packaging recyclable. Unnecessary packaging is to be avoided, the use of recycled content will be mandatory in 2030 and collection and recycling should be improved, according to communications from the European Parliament and the European Council.

 

The agreement must now be followed by formal decisions by the Council and Parliament. The first reading in Parliament could take place in April – however, a final decision is not expected before the European elections in June, but rather at the end of 2024.

 

Background: Packaging in the European Union

Packaging production and packaging waste management is an economically complex and important sector, generating a total turnover of €370 billion in the EU. As such, it plays a significant role and has the potential to transform Europe into a clean, sustainable, circular economy, in line with the European Green Deal. However, even though recycling rates have increased in the EU, the amount of waste generated from packaging is growing faster than the amount recycled. Over the past decade, the amount of packaging waste has increased by nearly 25% and is expected to increase by another 19% by 2030 if no action is taken. For plastic packaging waste, the expected increase is 46% by 2030. (Source: European Council)

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