Eyes on the proposed Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste
The European Commission stated that, as part of the Green Deal and after the Single-Use Plastics Directive, it would work on revising the current Regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste. A few days ago, the draft was submitted and the European Parliament and the Council will examine it under the ordinary legislative procedure.
Some of the targets:
- To prevent and reduce packaging waste, also pushing on reuse and refill systems;
- To promote recycling and the use of recycled plastics, preserving safety;
- To decrease the use of virgin raw material.
Planned key measures:
- Packaging waste reduction targets and reuse/refill targets in some specific sectors; reducing the use of ultralight plastic bags, implementing waste production control systems, managing reuse/refill systems for take-away food, beverages and other packaging, including tertiary packaging;
- Over-packaging control and packaging design criteria; no unnecessary packaging; reduction of empty spaces in packaging;
- Recycling targets; all packaging recyclable by 2030, with steps by year and by material;
- Recycled content targets in packaging; targets for plastic packaging starting in 2030, with EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) contributions that will depend on the percentage of recycled content;
- Mandatory use of compostable materials for some type of packaging; organic collection bags, coffee capsules, tea bags, fruit and vegetable labels, as well as mulch cloths;
- Deposit systems for plastic bottles and cans;
- Transparent labeling to facilitate proper disposal with clear and proven information, against all forms of greenwashing, so that the citizen can be part of the virtuous system.
The latest version of the proposal: a lighter draft
The first draft of the regulation met with fierce criticism from the industry : as the regulation favors reuse over recycling, strong investments from the industry in recycling could be endangered.
Criticisms came not only from industrials but multiple other stakeholders : European Bioplastics, 60 European manufacturers’ associations, including Unionplast, united in EUROPEN (EU Packaging Association) and many others.
The European Bioplastics association even stated that “in its current version, the regulation would shut down the entire European business developing innovative, sustainable packaging solutions”. Other criticism also raised the fact that the refill and reuse targets were not realistic, making the proposal counterproductive.
The version under approval has differences and it has been judged to be more open to the industry, which has been working precisely to make progress towards sustainability. Plastics Europe agrees with the climate and circularity goals and calls on the EU to further incentivize public and private investments – such as those already undertaken by the plastics industry in this regard. The association is well disposed to the reuse targets proposed by the Commission and it reserves the right to assess their feasibility, asking that they should be applied to all materials.
A specific focus on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics
The proposal devotes a specific chapter to biobased plastics, compostable plastics, and biodegradable plastics.
Highlights:
- Sustainable sources for biomass;
- Clarity on definitions and clear communication to citizens;
- Evaluation of the applications for which these plastics are suitable;
- Certified materials
Openness towards compostable packaging comparing to the previous version: it has to enable recycling of materials without affecting the recyclability of other waste streams.
European Bioplastics appreciates the specific document on bioplastics and compostable plastics. On the part of these industries however, the Commission’s position is perceived as a missed opportunity to increase the potential of bio-based plastics in contributing to circular raw material goals while reducing emissions.
Safety is still in focus
The paragraph on Sustainability requirements also includes safety, with specific reference to the REACH Regulation and the European Framework Regulation on Food Contact Materials 1935/2004.
Recent documents resulting from the European Green Deal (including the one on food contact recycled plastics) reiterate the importance of putting safety first, referring to fundamental Regulations such as the Framework Regulation for food contact or EU Regulation 10/2011 for food contact plastics.
