EU tackles packaging waste, but leaves many loopholes open

Janine Röling: "We are disappointed that the level of ambition has succumbed to the industry lobby, but at the same time we must not underestimate that all change starts somewhere. I see this as the start of a new, more sustainable way of dealing with packaging." On Monday 4 March 2024, the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The agreement marks the end of a long and intense political battle to introduce measures to halt the ever-increasing amount of packaging waste. Despite unprecedented pressure and negative lobbying, the EU institutions finally agreed on a series of provisions to prevent the generation of packaging waste, promote reuse systems and reduce our reliance on single-use packaging. To halt the uncontrolled growth of packaging waste, Europe is setting binding targets for member states to reduce packaging waste (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040). In addition, the agreement contains targets for introducing reusable packaging in the beverage and transport sectors. The end of single-use plastic packaging for on-site consumption is also in sight and deposit return systems will become mandatory. Janine Röling (environmental organisation Recycling Netwerk Benelux): “This agreement is an important step in the right direction. To reduce our dependence on raw materials, we in Europe must focus on reuse systems, avoiding unnecessary packaging, and high-quality recycling. We are disappointed that the level of ambition has succumbed to the industry lobby, but at the same time we must not underestimate that all change starts somewhere. I see this as the start of a new, more sustainable way of dealing with packaging.” The coalition of NGOs* with which RNB is following up this dossier welcomes the introduction of stricter rules on the use of substances of concern and extremely persistent chemicals (PFAS) in food packaging. The political will to protect consumers and the environment from these harmful substances is highly necessary. However, the coalition regrets that the European Commission's original proposal, published in November 2022, has suffered heavily under pressure from parties wishing to maintain the throwaway society. It is particularly disappointing that the restrictions on unnecessary packaging only apply to single-use plastic packaging and do not apply to all single-use packaging materials (as envisaged in the original proposal). As a result, we fear a material shift from plastic to paper and cardboard, which will further increase the pressure on our forests. Next steps After 4 years of preparatory work and more than 15 months of negotiations, we call on the EU institutions to lose no time and adopt this important regulation before the European elections. This sends a clear signal that it is time for change: scaling up circular solutions and phasing out the use of single-use packaging. The European Parliament must ratify the agreement in the April plenary session. We also expect the European Commission to sign the agreement as soon as possible. Together with the other NGOs in the coalition, RNB continues to advocate for high ambitions at European level and proper implementation of the new rules to stop the uncontrolled growth of packaging waste. Important decisions on how the measures of the regulation are to be implemented will be taken at a later stage. We will therefore continue to follow this process closely. Figures The total amount of packaging waste in the EU rose from 66 million tonnes in 2009 to 84.3 million tonnes in 2021 (an increase of 27.7%). It is expected to rise further to 92 million tonnes in 2030, and 107 million tonnes in 2040. The estimated annual generation of packaging waste is around 190 kg per inhabitant in the EU. This waste has a significant environmental impact, as it contributes to 40% of plastic use and 50% of paper use, and results in carbon emissions equal to the annual emissions of Hungary. (Source: Eurostat) Packaging is among the main users of virgin materials (40% of plastic and 50% of paper used in the EU is destined for packaging) and contributes to 36% of municipal waste. Contact details Janine Röling Recycling Netwerk Benelux | European Policy j.roling@fairresourcefoundation.org +31 6 53595642 *The members of this informal coalition are Zero Waste Europe, European Environmental Bureau, ECOS, ClientEarth, Surfrider Foundation Europe, Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Recycling Netwerk Benelux, Fern and the Environmental Paper Network.

Janine Röling: ”We are disappointed that the level of ambition has succumbed to the industry lobby, but at the same time we must not underestimate that all change starts somewhere. I see this as the start of a new, more sustainable way of dealing with packaging.”

On Monday 4 March 2024, the European Parliament and the Council reached an agreement on the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. The agreement marks the end of a long and intense political battle to introduce measures to halt the ever-increasing amount of packaging waste.

Despite unprecedented pressure and negative lobbying, the EU institutions finally agreed on a series of provisions to prevent the generation of packaging waste, promote reuse systems and reduce our reliance on single-use packaging.

To halt the uncontrolled growth of packaging waste, Europe is setting binding targets for member states to reduce packaging waste (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040). In addition, the agreement contains targets for introducing reusable packaging in the beverage and transport sectors. The end of single-use plastic packaging for on-site consumption is also in sight and deposit return systems will become mandatory.

Janine Röling (environmental organisation Recycling Netwerk Benelux): “This agreement is an important ste

The coalition of NGOs* with which RNB is following up this dossier welcomes the introduction of stricter rules on the use of substances of concern and extremely persistent chemicals (PFAS) in food packaging. The political will to protect consumers and the environment from these harmful substances is highly necessary.

However, the coalition regrets that the European Commission's original proposal, published in November 2022, has suffered heavily under pressure from parties wishing to maintain the throwaway society. It is particularly disappointing that the restrictions on unnecessary packaging only apply to single-use plastic packaging and do not apply to all single-use packaging materials (as envisaged in the original proposal). As a result, we fear a material shift from plastic to paper and cardboard, which will further increase the pressure on our forests.

Next steps

After 4 years of preparatory work and more than 15 months of negotiations, we call on the EU institutions to lose no time and adopt this important regulation before the European elections. This sends a clear signal that it is time for change: scaling up circular solutions and phasing out the use of single-use packaging. The European Parliament must ratify the agreement in the April plenary session. We also expect the European Commission to sign the agreement as soon as possible.

Together with the other NGOs in the coalition, RNB continues to advocate for high ambitions at European level and proper implementation of the new rules to stop the uncontrolled growth of packaging waste. Important decisions on how the measures of the regulation are to be implemented will be taken at a later stage. We will therefore continue to follow this process closely.

The total amount of packaging waste in the EU rose from 66 million tonnes in 2009 to 84.3 million tonnes in 2021 (an increase of 27.7%). It is expected to rise further to 92 million tonnes in 2030, and 107 million tonnes in 2040.

The estimated annual generation of packaging waste is around 190 kg per inhabitant in the EU. This waste has a significant environmental impact, as it contributes to 40% of plastic use and 50% of paper use, and results in carbon emissions equal to the annual emissions of Hungary. (Source: Eurostat)

Packaging is among the main users of virgin materials (40% of plastic and 50% of paper used in the EU is destined for packaging) and contributes to 36% of municipal waste. Contact details

Janine Röling Recycling Netwerk Benelux | European Policy j.roling@fairresourcefoundation.org

+31 6 53595642

*The members of this informal coalition are Zero Waste Europe, European Environmental Bureau, ECOS, ClientEarth, Surfrider Foundation Europe, Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Recycling Netwerk Benelux, Fern and the Environmental Paper Network.