EU packaging waste rules begin in Croatia on 12 August 2026

From 12 August 2026 the European Union will enforce its new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) across Croatia. The rules aim to cut packaging‑related greenhouse‑gas emissions from about 66 Mt to 43 Mt per year and to lower per‑capita packaging waste by 15 % by 2040. All packaging placed on the market must be recyclable in an economically sustainable way by 2030, with higher recycled‑content targets, especially for plastics.

The regulation will affect the entire value chain – food and drink producers, retailers, logistics firms and recycling operators. EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall said the measures will accelerate the shift to sustainable production and boost European industry’s competitiveness. Industry representatives, such as Davor Ujalki of the Croatian Plastic Industry Association, warn that many implementation details remain unclear, particularly compliance verification and chemical‑substance limits.

In Croatia, the hospitality sector will see the most visible changes: from 2027 customers must be allowed to bring their own containers, from 2028 establishments must provide reusable packaging systems, and from 1 January 2030 a ban on certain single‑use plastic items will apply. Environmental groups welcome the steps, noting that in 2023 the country used more than 320 000 t of packaging (≈83 kg per person), with plastics accounting for 22 % of the mix. Some companies, like Podravka, already report that 90 % of their packaging is recyclable.