Unboxing the PPWR: How can we make it work?

The European Union is in the process of overhauling its packaging policy landscape through the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The aim? To reduce the negative environmental impact of packaging and packaging waste. FEFCO and the European corrugated sector are aligned with this aim: corrugated cardboard packaging stands out as a prime example of circularity, as it is collected and recycled extensively throughout Europe. The sector is also on the pathway to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. There are, however, areas of the PPWR that require further elaboration and strengthening, which is why FEFCO was pleased to participate in a EURACTIV event last month about making the regulation work for all parties involved and ensuring that it doesn’t increase environmental impact and food waste.?

The event, held both at EURACTIV’s offices in Brussels and online and moderated by Brian Maguire, brought together a group of experts on packaging from around the continent and from different sectors, including government, industry, and NGOs. The panel was comprised of Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director, Circular economy, DG ENV, European Commission; Alena Mastantuono, Member of the Employers' Group, European Economic and Social Committee; Marco Musso, Policy Officer on Fiscal Reform for Circular Economy and Carbon Neutrality, EEB; Stephen Russell, Director General, ANEC; and FEFCO’s own Director General, Eleni Despotou. 170 unique viewers attended, showing great interest in this topic.?

Did you miss the event? Watch it in full here.??

FEFCO’s Eleni Despotou gave the opening remarks, reiterating the corrugated sector’s eagerness to collaborate with all stakeholders to make the PPWR a true success. She made the important point that arbitrary reuse targets—which are currently in the legislation—would likely increase the negative impact of packaging on the environment and contradict the spirit of the Green Deal. She also insisted on the fact that the PPWR could be strengthened even further if it prioritised:?

• Packaging that is made from renewable sources?
• Packaging industries with well-functioning and highly efficient recycling systems?
• Fit-for-purpose packaging?

Despotou rightly pointed out that the amendments from the European Parliament and European Council risk wiping out packaging solutions that embody these sustainable qualities and instead favour a plastic economy. The ideal solution should be one where renewable options like cardboard and plastic alternatives are seen as complementary rather than at odds: sometimes the supply chain requires one, sometimes it requires the other. In other words, a one-size-fits-all approach will not address the problem of packaging waste.

Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea of DG ENV explained that the PPWR was designed as and represents a holistic approach to reshaping packaging legislation in Europe. He emphasised that “practice over principles” was the guiding force behind the legislation.?

For Alena Mastantuono of the European Economic and Social Committee, it is essential that policymakers look at the entire life cycle of packaging and that all actors across the supply chain must take responsibility for packaging sustainability. In other words, collaboration is key. One actor alone cannot achieve the goals of the EU Green Deal.??

Marco Musso of the EEB explained that packaging will without a doubt continue to grow. But he insisted that simply replacing single-use with another single-use alternative is not a viable solution. However, the EEB sets extremely high expectations for reuse systems and insists that they will generate no litter or leakage.??

Stephen Russell of ANEC made note of a vital part of this debate: that the average person in the EU already produces 35kg of plastic packaging per year. He added that by 2030, overall packaging waste will increase by 19% and plastic packaging waste will increase by a significant 46%.?

Russell’s point illustrates perfectly what Eleni Despotou has warned: the possibility of a plastic economy in Europe. The amendments proposed by the Parliament and Council risk eliminating a packaging solution that is renewable, 100% recyclable, and recycled in reality every day in every European country. These policy changes would have disastrous environmental implications and go against the goals of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.??

For more information about corrugated cardboard and how it’s the ideal environmental choice for the EU Green Deal, click here to visit the FEFCO website. And remember, you can watch the full event here.????