Plastics Europe has expressed serious concerns following the Environment Committee vote on the new provisions of the European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The Plastics Manufacturers Association (PMA) particularly criticized the weakening of quotas for the use of recycled materials.
Plastics Europe is concerned that this decision may have a negative impact on investment in the circular economy. The draft provides insufficient incentives for investment in the use of recycled materials and bio-based raw materials in plastics production. Bettina Dempewolf, head of media at Plastics Europe Deutschland, said, "The draft is a major setback for the circular economy and sets us back a few months on the road towards fossil fuel-free plastics production."
Do not mix biodegradable plastics and recycled materials
Plastics Europe emphasizes the role of bio-based feedstocks in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from plastic packaging manufacturing and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The Association therefore proposes that separate targets will be set in the EU Packaging Regulation to increase the use of bio- and CO₂-based plastics, in addition to binding quotas for the reuse of recycled materials. Unfortunately, the Environmental Commission did not adopt this recommendation. The current resolution passes allowing packaging manufacturers to reduce the recycling rate of recycled plastics if they also use bio-based plastics in their packaging.
Recycled material quotas no longer binding
The quotas for the use of recycled materials initially proposed by the European Commission are key to increasing the demand for raw materials from mechanically and chemically recycled plastic waste. In this way, the Commission will provide investment incentives for recycled plastics to reduce the share of fossil fuels in the plastics value chain. Ingemar Bühler, President of Plastics Europe Germany, explains, "We are particularly disappointed that the quota for the use of recycled materials in food packaging has been weakened. The Commission missed the opportunity to make investment in sustainable plastic packaging more attractive to private investors."
Risk of a total ban on flexible films
At the same time, Plastics Europe applauded the development of the "design for recycling" standard for assessing the recyclability of packaging. It also sees great potential for expanding reusable systems. However, the current discussion of the EU Packaging Regulation neglects the multiple use of some important types of packaging required for transportation.
Alexander Kronimus, Managing Director of Plastics Europe Deutschland's Climate and Circular Economy division, added: "This resolution carries the risk that flexible plastic film, which is essential for the transportation of goods, will be banned completely by 2030. If this resolution is confirmed in the final legislation, this could lead to supply disruptions as well as increased costs for carriers and consumers."
Require exceptions for easily recyclable products
In addition, the ballot included a series of restrictions banning single-use without any assessment or demonstration of environmental benefits. These bans also apply to some plastic packaging that is already recyclable on a large scale, such as shrink wrap and containerized packaging.
Ingemar Bühler explains, "While such bans may be politically attractive at the outset for some interest groups, they may lead to the replacement of plastics in packaging with materials that have no proven environmental benefits."
Bühler continues, "In order to promote climate and circular economy goals, the EU Packaging Regulation should create pragmatic investment incentives to reduce the amount of packaging materials used and increase the proportion of recycled and bio-based raw materials in packaging."
