EU announces new rules requiring all recyclable packaging by 2030.
The European Commission proposed new rules on Wednesday that will require the EU market to have all packaging be fully recyclable by 2030. These new rules are a way to reduce packaging waste through increased recycled content in plastic drink bottles and these rules set targets for reuse of single-use materials used for things such as online deliveries.
This new proposal or rules has three overarching objectives:
To prevent the generation of packaging waste and reduce it in quantity, restrict unnecessary packaging and promote reusable and refillable packaging solutions.
To boost high quality (‘closed loop') recycling: make all packaging on the EU market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030.
To reduce the need for primary natural resources and create a well-functioning market for secondary raw materials, increasing the use of recycled plastics in packaging through mandatory targets.
According to the European Commission, “on average, each European generates almost 180 kg of packaging waste per year. Packaging is one of the main users of virgin materials as 40% of plastics and 50% of paper used in the EU is destined for packaging. Without action, the EU would see a further 19% increase in packaging waste by 2030, and for plastic packaging waste even a 46% increase”.
These new rules are being proposed in hopes to stop this trend. Instead of a steady increase of packaging waste through 2050, these rules have recycling targets of 65% by 2025 and 70% by 2030. This should hopefully reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040. Companies will be required to have a certain percentage of their products to consumers in reusable or refillable packaging along with some standardization of packaging formats. For consumers this will include more reusable packaging options, removing unnecessary packaging, limit overpackaging and provide labels to support correct recycling. In addition to labels to support correct recycling there will also be mandatory deposit return systems for plastic bottles and aluminum cans.
These rules will also ban certain forms of single-use packaging such as:
Packaging for food and beverages when consumed inside restaurants and cafes
Single-use packaging for fruits and vegetables
Miniature shampoo bottles
Other miniature packaging in hotels.
According to the European Commission, By 2030, the proposed measures would bring greenhouse gas emissions from packaging down to 43 million tonnes compared to 66 million if the legislation is not changed.
