European Union adopts Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

New rules for packaging have come into effect in the European Union today (16 December 2024), as the Council of the European Union formally adopts the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

Once the regulation is published in the EU’s Official Journal, it will be applied 18 months after the date of entry into force, according to the Council.

Metal Packaging Europe welcomed the regulation, pointing out that many of the PPWR’s sustainability requirements are already met by the metal packaging industry, in some cases, exceeding the minimum recycling rates.

However, the industry organisation was “disappointed” that the rules over reuse targets did not take in to account “the complementary roles of recycling and reuse, nor the contribution of existing highly recyclable and recycled packaging formats to the circular economy”.

Chief executive Krassimira Kazashka commented: “Achieving the PPWR objectives will require active participation from all packaging stakeholders. As representatives of the rigid metal packaging industry, we are keen to contribute.

“Aluminium and steel are permanent materials and circular resources that remain available for future generations. Metal is the perfect packaging partner for a circular economy.”

The rules are part of the EU’s Green Deal and will impose binding reuse targets, restrict some types of single-use packaging and require the packaging supply chain to minimise packaging used to reduce packaging waste.

Among the requirements are targets for the minimum percentage of recycled content by 2030 and 2040, minimising the weight and volume of packaging, restrictions on food contact packaging containing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), and information requirements on material composition or recycled content on packaging.

Single-use plastic packaging will be restricted across the EU across areas including pre-packed fruit and vegetables, food and beverages consumed in bars and restaurants and for single-use cosmetics and toiletries offered in hotels.

Binding reuse targets of 40% will be applied to transport and sales packaging, and 10% to grouped packaging.

Pressure to introduce the PPWR increased as packaging waste generated in the EU has grown faster than recycling rates, indicating the inability of the 1994 PPWR to reduce waste. The Council stated: “In 2022, the EU generated almost 186.5 kilograms of waste packaging per person, of which 36 were plastic packaging. This means that each day we produce half a kilogram of packaging waste per person in the EU.”