This story first appeared in our sister publication Sustainable Plastics.

The long-awaited proposal for the revised European regulation on packaging and packaging waste was published Nov. 30. Printed Film

As expected, the proposed new rules comprise a thorough overhaul of the existing regulation and are first and foremost aimed at calling a halt to the mounting problem of plastic packaging waste.

The Commission noted that packaging is one of the main users of virgin materials, with 40 percent of plastics and 50 percent of paper used in the European Union destined for packaging. If no action is taken, the EU is on course to see a further 46 percent increase in plastic packaging waste by 2030.

The new package, presented by Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius, aims to reverse the trend. To that end, a three-pronged strategy has been laid out:

According to the Commission, new doors will open for the industry in terms of business opportunities, especially for smaller companies, while the consumption of virgin materials will drop. More European recycling capacity will make Europe less dependent on primary resources and external suppliers.

For consumers, the proposed revisions will bring more reusable packaging options; eliminate unnecessary packaging and limit overpackaging; and provide clear labels to support correct recycling. Companies will be required to use reusable or refillable package for a certain percentage of their products — for example takeaway drinks and meals or e-commerce deliveries. Packaging formats will to some extent be standardized and reusable packaging clearly labeled as such.

The proposal will clear up confusion on which packaging belongs to which recycling bin, as each piece of packaging will carry a label showing what the packaging is made of and in which waste stream it should go. Importantly, the waste collection containers will carry the same labels — and the same symbols will be used throughout the EU.

Single-use packaging for food and beverages consumed inside restaurants and cafes will be banned, as will single-use packaging for fruits and vegetables, miniature shampoo, toiletries and other miniature packaging in hotels.

Other measures include setting design criteria for packaging; creating mandatory deposit return systems for plastic bottles and aluminum cans; and clearly marking compostable packaging so that consumers can dispose of it appropriately.

"On compostable plastics, there is an important difference between materials that are compostable at home, and those that require industrial facilities. This has to be clear to consumers," Sinkevičius said.

Under the proposed new rules, however, the use of compostable packaging is mandated only when its use "brings a clear benefit for the environment or for human health," such as when compostable packaging helps with the collection or disposal of bio-waste.

This latter proposal was received with a mixture of disappointment and relief by the Berlin-based European Bioplastics association. Relief, because an initially proposed partial ban on compostable plastic packaging was eventually lifted and compostable packaging solutions will continue to be allowed to be marketed and recycled in the EU, according to Hasso von Pogrell, managing director of EUBP.

By making several packaging applications mandatory to be compostable in industrial composting facilities, including tea bags, filter coffee pods and pads, fruit stickers, and very lightweight plastic carrier bags, the Commission is taking a first step in the right direction, in the view of EUBP.

On the other hand, the disappointment stemmed from the Commission's proposal failing to promote biobased content the way it promotes recycled content: through targets to help secure feedstock availability, to achieve recycled content targets, and to meet the strict requirements for contact-sensitive materials.

"Prioritizing recycled content and mechanical recycling will not be enough to replace the EU's dependence on fossil resources and to stop the current trend of over-packaging and excessive waste in the EU," the association said in a statement.

Von Pogrell called on EU policymakers to "show more ambition and clear vision in their political support to biobased and compostable plastics by improving and further clarifying the proposal with the aim to decisively support innovation in the sector of sustainable materials and packaging solutions, ensuring that investments, jobs, and innovation remain in Europe."

The Nov. 30 proposal follows the first Circular Economy package of measures adopted in March 2022 that included the new Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products and the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles. The proposals are key building blocks of the European Green Deal's Circular Economy Action Plan and its objective to make sustainable products the norm. They also respond to specific demands of Europeans as expressed at the Conference on the Future of Europe.

If implemented, the proposed measures altogether would bring packaging-related greenhouse gas emissions down to 43 million tonnes by 2030 — from a projected 66 million tonnes in the business-as-usual scenario.

The proposal on packaging and packaging waste will now be considered by the European Parliament and the Council, in the ordinary legislative procedure. The policy framework on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics will guide future EU work on this issue, for example, ecodesign requirements for sustainable products, funding program and international discussions.

The Commission encourages citizens, public authorities and businesses to use this framework in their policy, investment and purchasing decisions.

Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at [email protected]

Please enter a valid email address.

Please enter your email address.

Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

Staying current is easy with Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

Plastics News covers the business of the global plastics industry. We report news, gather data and deliver timely information that provides our readers with a competitive advantage.

Bag Plastic 1155 Gratiot Avenue Detroit MI 48207-2997