On March 4, the Council and Parliament of the European Union reached an agreement to amend the rules on the reduction, reuse and recycling of packaging, approving a total ban on single-use plastic packaging for all items, including a ban on the use of "permanent chemicals" in food contact packaging, in order to address the escalating problem of packaging waste.
The new measures aim to make packaging used in the EU safer and more sustainable by requiring all packaging to be recyclable, minimizing the presence of hazardous substances, reducing unnecessary packaging, increasing recycled content and improving collection and recycling.
This is a landmark action, and 2030 will be an important point, marking the EU's shift to a circular economy, with recyclable packaging materials in the spotlight.
Background: grim statistics
EU packaging, which generated a turnover of €355 billion in 2018, is a growing source of waste. The EU total has increased from 66 million tons in 2009 to 84 million tons in 2021.In 2021, each European generated 188.7 kg of packaging waste, a figure that is expected to increase to 209 kg in 2030 if no additional measures are taken.
Reducing packaging and restricting certain forms of packaging
The agreement sets packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040) and requires EU countries to reduce the amount of plastic packaging waste in particular.
Under the agreement, from January 1, 2030, certain forms of single-use plastic packaging will be banned, including single-use plastic packaging for fruits and vegetables, food and beverages in the hotel, restaurant and cafe sectors, condiments, sauces, small cosmetic and toiletry products (e.g., bottles of shampoo or make-up) used in the lodging sector, as well as very lightweight plastic shopping bags (less than 15 microns) (e.g., in the case of bulk groceries offered at the market).
Prohibition of the use of "permanent chemicals"
In order to prevent adverse health effects, the European Parliament adopted a ban on the use of so-called "permanent chemicals" (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances or PFASs) in food contact packaging.
Encourage consumers to choose reuse and refill
Negotiators agreed to set specific targets (at least 10%) for reusable packaging for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (other than milk, wine, flavored wines, spirits, etc.) by 2030. Under certain conditions, Member States may grant a five-year exemption from these requirements.
Final distributors of food service industry beverages and take-out food will be obligated to offer consumers the option of bringing their own containers. They will also be required to strive to offer 10 percent of their products in reusable packaging forms by 2030.
In addition, MEPs have said that Member States should be required to encourage restaurants, canteens, bars, cafes and food service establishments to provide tap water in reusable or refillable form (free of charge or with a lower service charge if available).
Recyclable packaging for better waste collection and recycling
All packaging should be recyclable and meet strict criteria established through secondary legislation. Certain exemptions are envisaged for lightweight wood, cork, textiles, rubber, ceramics, porcelain or wax.
Other agreed measures include minimum recycled content targets for any plastic portion of packaging; minimum recycling targets and increased recyclability requirements based on the weight of packaging waste generated; and 90% of single-use plastic and metal beverage containers (up to 3 liters) to be collected separately by 2029 (deposit-return system).
Parliament and the Council will need to formally approve the agreement for it to come into force. The ban is due to come into force in 2030, but the European Commission's commerce department raised objections to the original text, fearing the rules could anger trading partners. The solution could be that companies would have to meet EU sustainability standards in order to calculate their recycled content. Ultimately, the European Commission will need to show support for the change, and the final text will have to be approved by the European Parliament and the European Council.
