The EUs Latest Plans to Tackle Growing Packaging Waste

As consumers, we often view the market through a “what’s inside” lens. The delicious pastry in its bag, moisturizing cream in its tub or brand-new clothes wrapped in plastic. But what about the outside? These discarded layers might not feel like our choice, yet they quietly become a part of our daily lives, and our growing waste problem.  Packaging waste has been rising over the past decade and in response, the EU launched its European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy in 2018. Despite imposing measures like the taxing or banning of single-use plastic bags across many EU countries in 2019, packaging volumes continued to climb. 

Recent efforts to make packaging safer and more sustainable in the EU may open the door to meaningful improvements. In March 2024 the European Parliament and the Council proposed a new set of measures called the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The PPWR came into effect in February 2025, with measures set to apply from August 2026. The legislation's overarching goal is to make all packaging recyclable, cut unnecessary packaging, limit harmful chemicals, and improve recycling across the EU. 

PPWR: Some Highlights at a Glance:

Regarding health: The regulation will ban packaging that comes into direct contact with food if it contains certain levels of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Regarding volume and single-use waste: The regulation will ban unnecessary packaging for fresh fruit and vegetables under 1.5 kg, food and drinks consumed within hotels, restaurants, and cafes, as well as single-use condiment portions in hospitality settings.

Regarding recyclability: From 2030, packaging must meet specific design-for-recycling criteria and be graded A ≥95% recyclable, B: ≥80% recyclable and C: ≥70% recyclable. Products scoring below 70%, will be considered non-recyclable and restricted from being sold. 

The recent EU regulation signals a major shift towards sustainability, with the potential to completely change how businesses design their products and in turn, how we consume and discard them. 

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For more information contact: info@scarabtrust.org.uk

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