We have received the first leaks of the forthcoming European Commission Packaging & Packaging Waste policy. This is currently going through the process of the interservice consultation with 21 Director Generals in the Commission having been asked to comment. We expect this policy to be formally adopted on 30th November. Please be aware: these points are not in effect yet and the date is also not final yet!
After speed-reading the 180 pages of policy, we encourage you to read the following 18 bullet points which represents the key points for the packaging industry. The Directive will become a Regulation meaning it will have binding legal force in all Member States on a set date. The focus will be on making the Essential Requirements of the European Commission Packaging & Packaging Waste policymore concrete and on the ability to enforce it.
- From January 1st 2030 onwards, all plastic packaging should contain post-consumer recycled content with a percentual increasing every year towards 2040. Member States will be required to limit packaging placed on the market by reducing volume & weight of packaging and increasing re-use of packaging
- Packaging to be 100% recyclable by 2030 and recycled at scale by 2040 (definitions included for ‘recycled at scale’)
- All packaging to be marked with harmonized label showing composition with same label used on recycling bins
- Member States to reduce by 5% per capita packaging waste generated by 2030 (compared to 2018), rising to 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040
- Packaging design to incorporate re-use or high-quality recycling and minimise volume/weight and void space
- Harmonisation of EPR eco-modulation schemes
- Reuse targets for food/beverage take-away to be established – single use packaging banned for instore consumption but permitted where beneficial from an LCA perspective (exemptions for small operators)
- Manufacturers to ensure all packaging bears a type/batch/serial number allowing its identification…use of digital passport
- Adhesive elements of packaging must be easily separated / not affect efficiency of recycling process
- Coatings on paper & board should ensure fibre content greater than 95%
- 5 x performance criteria of packaging to be created (A – E): ‘A’ will ensure 95% compliance with design for recycling criteria whilst ‘E’ is less than 70% and will be banned
Negative list of packaging items to be banned for the European Commission Packaging & Packaging Waste policy– paper / cardboard includes:
a. Paper-based packaging with plastic components that cannot be separated in established processes
b. Silicone/ wax coatings
c. Insoluble adhesives + hot-melt adhesives with softening point < 68°
d. Mineral oil colours and inks that that do not contain substances of concern
e. Two-sided plastic barrier/ coating/laminates
f. Inks/ decorative elements using PP/PET metallised laminates, PET-metallised film
Additonal:
- Restrictions on single use packaging for fruit & vegetables
- Restrictions on single use for cosmetics (less than 50ml for liquids / 100G for non-liquid)
- Packaging design to allow increased substitution of virgin with recycled materials
Again, please be aware that these points and the mentioned dates are still to be approved. For questions or a chat about the impact on your packaging, please get in touch!