Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) is a comprehensive EU legislation designed to minimize packaging waste and promote sustainable practices across the European Union. Replacing the previous Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) 94/62/EC.
The PPWR aims to harmonize national measures, strengthen the internal market, and transition towards a circular economy.
Key Objectives:
-> Prevent and reduce packaging waste through increased reuse and refill systems
-> Mandates all packaging on the EU market to be recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030
-> Sets targets for incorporating recycled plastics into packaging, aiming to decrease reliance on virgin materials
-> Aligns the packaging sector with the EU's broader goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050
Key Provisions:
-> Imposes restrictions on certain single-use plastics, such as pre-packed fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kg, and individual portions of condiments, sauces, and sugar in hotels, bars, and restaurants.
-> Requires minimizing the weight and volume of packaging to avoid unnecessary waste.
-> Establishes targets for a minimum percentage of recycled content in packaging by 2030 and 2040.
-> Take-away businesses are required to offer customers the option to bring their own containers at no extra cost.
-> Aims to minimize substances of concern, including restrictions on packaging containing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) if they exceed certain thresholds.
By establishing these measures, the PPWR is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage by 2030, while mitigating the adverse impacts of packaging and packaging waste on the environment and human health.
🔗 EC
The PPWR aims to harmonize national measures, strengthen the internal market, and transition towards a circular economy.
Key Objectives:
-> Prevent and reduce packaging waste through increased reuse and refill systems
-> Mandates all packaging on the EU market to be recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030
-> Sets targets for incorporating recycled plastics into packaging, aiming to decrease reliance on virgin materials
-> Aligns the packaging sector with the EU's broader goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050
Key Provisions:
-> Imposes restrictions on certain single-use plastics, such as pre-packed fruits and vegetables weighing less than 1.5 kg, and individual portions of condiments, sauces, and sugar in hotels, bars, and restaurants.
-> Requires minimizing the weight and volume of packaging to avoid unnecessary waste.
-> Establishes targets for a minimum percentage of recycled content in packaging by 2030 and 2040.
-> Take-away businesses are required to offer customers the option to bring their own containers at no extra cost.
-> Aims to minimize substances of concern, including restrictions on packaging containing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) if they exceed certain thresholds.
By establishing these measures, the PPWR is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water usage by 2030, while mitigating the adverse impacts of packaging and packaging waste on the environment and human health.
🔗 EC
- Categories
- Waste ManagementLife Cycle Assessment (LCA)Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)
- Legislation instrument
- Regulation
- Pillars
- Environmental
- Audience
- Business
- Legislation status
- Adopted
- Applicable area
- EU
- Regulation (EU) 2025/40
Timeline
- ProposedNov 30, 2022
- ApprovedApr 24, 2024
- AdoptedDec 16, 2024
- PublishedJan 22, 2025
- In ForceFeb 11, 2025
- In ApplicationAug 12, 2026
Implementation Timeline:
-> Entry into Force: The PPWR enters into force on 11 February 2025.
-> General Application Date: The regulation's provisions will generally apply 18 months after its entry into force, i.e., from 12 August 2026.
-> Entry into Force: The PPWR enters into force on 11 February 2025.
-> General Application Date: The regulation's provisions will generally apply 18 months after its entry into force, i.e., from 12 August 2026.
General information
Overview
EnglishInformation
Executive summary
EnglishInformation