Packaging, the European Parliament approves the new regulation

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Green light for the regulation on packaging and packaging waste (Ppwr), the European parliament, in the last session before the end of the legislature, definitively approved it with 476 votes in favour, 129 against and 24 abstentions. None of the Italian MEPs voted against the measure. Among those in favour, the Italian MEPs of Ecr, a group of which Fratelli d’Italia is a member, who had voted against the regulation in the version presented last November, those of the EPP of which Forza Italia is a member, those of S&D of which it is a member the Democratic Party and the 5Star patrol. The League and Id’s team abstained.

Before being published in the EU Official Journal and coming into force, the agreement will also have to be formally approved by the Council, probably after the summer. The text voted on was the one preliminarily agreed with the EU Council in March.

Plastic packaging prohibited

The new rules include packaging reduction targets (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040) and require countries to specifically reduce plastic packaging waste. To limit waste, a maximum proportion of empty space of 50% has been established which will apply to multiple packaging and packaging for transport and e-commerce. In addition, manufacturers and importers will need to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging are kept to a minimum. Certain types of single-use plastic packaging will be banned from 1 January 2030. These include packaging for fresh, unprocessed fruit and vegetables and for food and drinks consumed in bars and restaurants, single-serving portions (e.g. condiments, sauces , coffee creamer and sugar), small disposable packaging used in hotels and plastic bags made of ultra-light material below 15 microns.

“Eternal pollutants” banned

To avoid harmful effects on health, the text prohibits the use of so-called “eternal pollutants”, i.e. perfluoroalkyl substances, above certain thresholds in packaging in contact with food products. Specific reuse objectives are set to be achieved by 2030 for packaging of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (with the exception, among other things, of milk, wine, including flavoured, and spirits), multiple packaging and packaging for sale and transport . Under certain conditions, member states can grant five-year exemptions from these requirements. Final distributors of drinks and food-to-go will have to give consumers the opportunity to use their containers and strive to offer 10% of products in a reusable packaging format by 2030.

Minimum recycled content

Furthermore, all packaging (with the exception of lightweight wood, cork, textiles, rubber, ceramic, porcelain and wax) must be recyclable based on strict criteria. The measures also include minimum recycled content targets for plastic packaging and minimum recycling weight targets for packaging waste. Finally, by 2029, 90% of single-use metal and plastic beverage containers of up to three liters will have to be collected separately through deposit and return systems or other solutions that allow the collection target to be achieved.