The new EU packaging rules cover all types of packaging placed on the European market in all sectors. The overall ambition is to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040. The EU aims to reach this goal by making recycling of all packaging mandatory, increasing awareness of sorting by mandatory labelling, banning certain packaging formats, setting reuse targets for transport packaging and minimizing packaging.
The long-made EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation was approved in the European Parliament in late November 2024. Our sustainability expert, Susanna Hyrkäs, dissects what could be in store for fibre-based packaging.
Making circularity a reality is one of the most important goals of the new PPWR
Rules to regulate and harmonize the packaging scene across the EU
When it comes to the packaging industry from material manufacturers to brand owners and retailers, what is needed is clarity on the requirements for packaging. The EU is leading the way in global packaging development with the new PPWR rules; however, there are still some areas that need to be clarified to enable the industry to fully prepare for the regulation.
The PPWR sets the basic rules and targets for packaging and packaging waste, but the clarifying details on how to achieve these are still to be defined in the secondary legislation. Only with the secondary legislation providing practical guidance on how to apply the legislation, the rules are clear enough for the industry to prepare for compliance. Developing this secondary legislation should involve consulting industry stakeholders, NGOs, and experts to ensure well-informed and fair measures.
More detailed criteria for recyclability yet to come
A driving idea behind the PPWR is that all packaging put on the market is to be recyclable by 2030. The packaging industry considers the delegated act setting the rules for recyclability to be one of the most important pieces of secondary legislation. The recyclability of packaging will need to be considered already at the material design stage. If recycling is not considered, higher packaging material related EPR fees (Extended Producer Responsibility fees) may be imposed.
Design for Recycling criteria and recyclability performance grades will be defined in the secondary legislation by 2028. In the fibre-based industry alliances and associations representing the whole value-chain such as Cepi and 4evergreen, we are well prepared as we have been working already for years to develop robust test methods and guidelines for the recyclability and recycling of fibre-based packaging.
In fact, at UPM with our Sustainable Product Design approach, 100% of our packaging papers are designed for recycling in established fibre recycling streams. Recyclability is also a key consideration when co-creating new solutions and packaging concepts with other members of the packaging value network.
Our barrier papers also offer the opportunity to minimize packaging requirements, and to move away from complax miltimaterial packaging structures that are difficult to recycle.
With our graphic paper offering, UPM is also a significant consumer of recycled fibres. This gives us the practical experience and sophisticated testing capabilities that support the development of fibre-based solutions that are designed for established recycling infrastructure.
“Design for recycling guidelines and recyclability performance grades will be defined in the secondary legislation by 2028.”
Recycling target of fibre packaging industry exceeds PPWR requirements
The EU has set recycling targets for different packaging materials. For paper and cardboard the target is that 85% will be recycled by 2030. However, the 4evergreen alliance’s strives beyond this, aiming for 90% of fibre-based packaging to be recycled in 2030. This is a testament to the commitment of the fibre-based packaging industry to contribute to the EU target.
For plastics the recycling target is 55% by 2030 while only 40% of plastic packaging waste has recently been recycled according to Eurostat (2021). For plastic materials there will also be a mandatory requirement for recycled content.
These targets also encourage Member States to improve the recycling infrastructure and promote circular economy practices. PPWR’s requirement for packaging to be recycled at scale implies that the packaging waste should be collected, sorted and recycled through installed state-of-the-art infrastructure and processes.
When it comes to paper and board recycling systems, it is worth noting that a well-functioning recycling infrastructure and recycling loops have been in place at the European level for a considerable period of time.
The fibre-based packaging industry is more than eager to contribute to the EU target of improving the recycling rate of fibre-based packaging
What’s next?
The new EU packaging rules are soon in place, and we welcome the regulation to harmonize the packaging and packaging waste scene across Europe. The PPWR and the upcoming detailing secondary legislation encourages the packaging industry and brands to rethink packaging design and to explore new recyclable materials and technologies.
We at UPM Specialty Papers are ready to support our value chain to offer and to co-create the best packaging for each need. Take a look at our packaging papers, which are designed to be recycled in existing recycling streams.
