In recent years, the EU has been seriously concerned about the environmental friendliness of packaging and its recycling issues. Recently, the European Parliament adopted a new bill regulating the norms and volumes of packaging within the next 5 years. So what awaits Europe, and perhaps us, in 2030?

So, first of all, according to the new law, the rules for reducing packaging begin to work (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040). The regulations apply to all EU countries and relate primarily to the amount of plastic packaging waste. Manufacturers and importers will need to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging is minimized.

Some types of single-use plastic packaging will be banned from 2030. These include packaging for unprocessed fresh fruits and vegetables, packaging for food and beverages bottled and consumed in cafes and restaurants, portion packaging (eg: condiments, sauces, cream, sugar), mini packaging for toiletries and very lightweight plastic packages (less than 15 microns).

The use of PFAS in food contact packaging is prohibited. Beverage and takeaway end sellers will need to offer consumers the option to bring their own containers. In addition, 10% of these products should be sold in reusable packaging by 2030.

Under the new rules, all packaging (with the exception of light wood, cork, textiles, rubber, ceramics, porcelain and wax) must be recycled under strict criteria. There are also minimum recycling targets for the recycling content of plastic packaging and minimum recycling targets for the weight of packaging waste. By 2029, 90% of single-use plastic and metal drinks containers (up to three liters) will have to be collected separately (using deposit return systems or other solutions to ensure collection targets are met).

It is unclear how the new standards will be verified. However, we assume that over the next 5 years of the transition period all additional work will be carried out and the necessary legislative decisions will be made. Also, I think we will see many more innovations in the field of packaging and its processing.

Materials used from packaginginsights.com.