The European Union (EU) Parliament has provisionally agreed on new regulations to reduce, reuse, and recycle packaging. The rules, approved with 476 votes in favour, 129 against, and 24 abstentions, are intended to make packaging more sustainable and reduce packaging waste in the EU.
According to the Parliament, the measures aim to combat the escalating problem of waste, standardise internal market regulations, and foster a circular economy.
The provisions establish targets for reducing packaging by 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040. They mandate EU nations to cut down on plastic packaging waste.
Besides, the new rules also include a maximum empty space ratio of 50% for grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging to reduce excessive packaging.
Under the new laws, certain single-use plastic packaging types will be phased out by 1 January 2030.
The items include packaging for fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables, food and beverages packaging served in eateries, individual portions, small toiletry product packages, and plastic carrier bags below 15 microns.
To safeguard public health, the legislation prohibits use of forever chemicals above specified thresholds in food contact packaging.
The regulations set specific reuse targets for beverage packaging, transport and sales packaging, and grouped packaging by 2030. However, member states may grant a five-year exemption from these requirements under certain circumstances.
Additionally, retailers of beverages and take-out meals must offer consumers the option of using their containers. They will also provide 10% of their products in reusable packaging by 2030.
The new regulations also require all packaging excluding lightweight wood, cork, textile, rubber, ceramic, porcelain, and wax to be recyclable.
The measures also include targets for minimum recycled content in plastic packaging and minimum weight-based recycling targets for packaging waste.
Furthermore, the rules mandate separate collection of 90% of single-use plastic and metal beverage containers, up to 3l, by 2029.
The new packaging regulations need European Council approval to come into force, the EU Parliament said.
Renew, BE Rapporteur Frédérique Ries said: “For the first time in an environmental law, the EU is setting targets to reduce packaging, regardless of the material used. The new rules foster innovation and include exemptions for micro-enterprises.”
