What is the Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation?
What is the Packaging Waste Regulation?
40% of all plastics used in the EU are in packaging - most of which ends up in the trash, filling landfills, releasing toxins, and harming wildlife. Packaging and its waste are an important problem to tackle as we shift to a more circular economy. That’s why the EU passed the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation in early 2025.
This regulation will introduce many new requirements over the next few years, such as:
Minimum recycled content in packaging from 2030
Recyclability criteria from 2030
Requirements to minimize packaging (e.g. less empty space, tactics to increase perceived volume) from 2028
Banning several types of single use plastics in HORECA sector
Extended producer responsibility (financial)
Who does the Packaging Waste Regulation apply to?
The scope of this regulation is wide - it will apply to all types of packaging across sectors. Whether packaging for transport within the supply chain or for end customers, this regulation will impact your business.
How does the Packaging Waste Regulation impact small & medium sized businesses?
Small and Medium sized businesses also fall within this scope - in particular hospitality, foods, manufacturing, and packaging sectors will be impacted. Here’s how and when:
Manufacturing & Packaging producers:
Extended producer responsibility may have financial impacts - this is intended as a funding mechanism in regulation to set up sorting and collection systems
Most of the requirements for recyclability (e.g. design), recycled content, and minimization fall directly on manufacturers from 2028 on
Plastic grouped packaging (e.g. plastic holding cans together) banned by 2030
The administrative burden will fall on manufacturers as well - e.g. maintaining documentation and certificates of conformity
Importers:
Importers will have similar obligations as manufacturers - to ensure products imported meet the requirements and maintain documentation
Plastic grouped packaging (e.g. plastic holding cans together) banned by 2030
Foods:
The same obligations for packaging apply across sectors. However, additional sector-specific requirements include:
Plastic grouped packaging (e.g. plastic holding cans together) banned by 2030
Plastic on produce banned by 2030
New PFAS limits for food packaging introduced by August 2026
Hospitality:
Single use portions in plastic packaging (such as individual shampoo bottles, or individual condiments) banned by 2030
Other types of single use plastics in HORECA sector banned (e.g. take-away containers) by 2030
Restaurants with take-away food or beverages must allow customers to bring own containers by 2027
Ready for the next step?
New requirements can create a logistical and legal maze. Taking action ahead of deadlines can pay off - while your competitors are scrambling, you will already have the supply chain, connections, and capabilities needed to deliver. We’re here to help your business get there.
Ready to create value for your business? Contact us for a consultation on how the Packaging Waste Regulation and the other new laws of the EU Green Deal impact your business and discover opportunities for growth and sustainability.
