The latest news about packaging and food packaging
The March agreement
The update of European regulations about plastic packaging and the increased consumer awareness provide a significant opportunity for paper-based packaging products: made from renewable raw materials, they are more easily recyclable than plastic.
Paper, therefore, is “better qualified” to implement the new European regulations. First of all, the PPWR (Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation): in March, the EU Council Presidency and the European Parliament’s representatives reached a provisional political agreement on PPWR.
The main target of the regulation is to tackle the increase in packaging waste generated in the EU while harmonising the internal market for packaging and boosting the circular economy. The provisional agreement maintains the 2030 and 2040 headline targets for minimum recycled content in plastic packaging.
The co-legislators agreed to exempt compostable plastic packaging and packaging in which the plastic component amounts to less than 5% of the packaging’s total weight.
What will be banned starting January 2030?
The agreement states that starting from January 2030, the following packaging material will be banned:
However, milk cartons, disposable packaging made of compostable plastic, and packaging for fruit and vegetables are not affected by this rule if less than one and a half kilos and if necessary to prevent the loss of weight, water, and turgidity of the food.
In addition, the new rules would reduce unnecessary packaging by setting a maximum empty space ratio of 50% in grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging, and requiring manufacturers and importers to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging are minimised, except for protected packaging designs (provided that this protection was already in force by the date of entry into force of the regulation).
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EPPA’s position on PPWR
Before the latest approval, EPPA (the European Paper Packaging Alliance of which Burgo Group is a partner) raised doubts about the previous regulatory framework.
According to EPPA, the current version (i.e. the previous one, editor’s note) of the proposal on packaging and packaging waste places too much emphasis on reusable packaging, to the detriment of other environmentally friendly options such as disposable paper packaging. To achieve the goals of the circular economy, the PPWR should be revised to prioritise the use of renewable, recyclable and environmentally friendly single-use paper packaging.
Moderate satisfaction, however, was expressed by Antonio D’Amato, EPPA President, about the outcome of the last Council vote on PPWR: while not perfect – D’Amato says – it is broadly aligned with the latest scientific evidence.
This is a PPWR that will make Europe more competitive and sustainable, which does not jeopardise the single market or the EU’s world-leading recycling sector. In short, the new Regulation has seen the future of the circular economy prevail.
This system is a massive competitive advantage of the European Union, built on the positive collaboration of member states, institutions and European industries.
Certainly, it will be necessary to keep up with a constantly evolving topic that involves, and will involve, hundreds of paper companies, thousands of food and drink distributors, and millions of consumers across Europe.
Source
Council and Parliament strike a deal to make packaging more sustainable and reduce packaging waste in the EU: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/03/04/packaging-council-and-parliament-strike-a-deal-to-make-packaging-more-sustainable-and-reduce-packaging-waste-in-the-eu/ ?
Statement from EPPA on the outcome of the Council vote on PPWR: https://eppa-eu.org/ppwr-council-vote/