Blog Details
- Home
- European Parliament approves PPWR
Ganzheitliches Verpackungsdenken
Schweizerische Verpackungsinstitut SVI
Schweizerische Verpackungsinstitut SVI
On April 24, 2024, the European Parliament adopted new rules to ensure more sustainable packaging and less packaging waste in the EU.
The regulation, which was adopted by 476 votes to 129 with 24 abstentions, aims to tackle the constantly growing volume of waste, harmonize internal market regulations and boost the circular economy.
Less packaging and restrictions on certain forms of packaging
The provisional agreement with the Council not only includes packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040), it also obliges the EU member states to reduce plastic packaging waste. In order to reduce unnecessary packaging, the maximum proportion of empty space for outer packaging, transport packaging and packaging for e-commerce will be 50% in future. Manufacturers and importers must also ensure lighter packaging with less volume.
From January 1, 2030, certain single-use plastic packaging will be banned, e.g. packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables, packaging for food and drinks offered for consumption or served in cafés and restaurants, single portions (e.g. spices, sauces, cream, sugar), small single-use plastic packaging for toiletries in hotels and very light plastic carrier bags (with a wall thickness of less than 15 microns). In the interests of health protection, the use of so-called perpetuating chemicals (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short) in packaging that comes into contact with food will be prohibited in future.
Consumers should be able to reuse and refill more
For packaging for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (with the exception of milk, wine, aromatized wine, spirits, etc.), transport and sales packaging and secondary packaging, special targets are set for reuse by 2030. Under certain conditions, Member States may allow a five-year exemption from these requirements. Retailers of beverages and takeaway food must allow consumers to use their own containers. They must also endeavor to offer 10% of their products in reusable packaging by 2030.
Recyclable packaging, better waste collection, more effective recycling
According to the new regulations, all packaging (except packaging made of light wood, cork, textiles, rubber, ceramics, porcelain and wax) must meet strict recyclability requirements. Minimum targets are also set for the recycled content of plastic packaging and minimum targets for the recycling of packaging waste by weight. By 2029, 90% of all single-use plastic and metal beverage containers (up to three liters) must be collected separately (through deposit systems or other methods that ensure this target is met).
This text first appeared on www.packreport.de
Full publication at: pack AKTUELL