Packaging: new EU Regulation

On 11 April the European Parliament gave its opinion on the proposal about the packaging presented by the European Commission on 30 November and discussed by ENVI (Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety).

Every European citizen generates 180 kg of packaging waste on average per year.

Indeed, about 50% of paper and 40% of plastic used in EU nowadays are intended for packaging, in the form of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, disposable takeout food containers, vials etc.

Keep it that way means recording a 46% increase of plastic packaging waste by 2030.

Packaging is confirmed among the products which use most virgin materials, in contrast to the principles of circular economy and secondary raw materials.

BENEFITS FOR CONSUMERS AND COMPANIES

The whole proposal comes within the framework of the European Green Deal and action plan for the circular economy.

In fact, as early as 2021, the Parliament asked for a reduction of excessive packaging and improvement of recycling of used materials.

The purpose of the regulation is to update the rules, with the aim of reducing waste and promoting high quality recycling.

The new standard would grant to consumers reusable packaging options, elimination of unnecessary packaging and clear labels for a correct recycling.

For industry, this standard would reduce the need for virgin materials, improving the capacity of EU recycling, making it less dependent on primary resources and external suppliers.

WHAT DID THE IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SAY?

The impact assessment says that the solutions can not be dealt only with national measures.

Thus, it is necessary to define common requirement at European level in order to improve the circular economy and the equal conditions for producers of packaging.

The main objective is to reduce by 15% packaging waste by 2040; ban disposable packaging; make packaging completely recyclable by 2030 with various measures.
One of this consist in introducing a mandatory deposit system for the plastic bottles and aluminum cans in all Member States by 2029.

By not changing the legislation on packaging, it is estimated that by 2030 the greenhouse gas emissions caused by packaging will be 66 million tons.

If instead, the measures proposed will be concretely adopted, the emissions will be reduced to 43 million tons in 7 years.

The last appeal goes to industries. It is and it will be necessary to invest in transition.

The estimate of European Commission inspires hope: it says that thanks to the increase of recycling, by 2030 small and medium local companies will create more than 600 thousand new jobs.

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