European Union implements new packaging and recycling regulations

The European Union is implementing the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) to reduce waste and improve recyclability. Replacing the 1994 PPWD, this new regulation aims to reduce packaging waste by 15% by 2040 and will go into effect in 2025.

Under the new rules, all packaging in the EU must be designed for recycling by 2030. A Design for Recycling (DfR) framework will introduce a grading system based on recyclability performance: Grade A (95%), Grade B (80%), and Grade C (70%). Any packaging with a recyclability rate below 70% will be prohibited from the EU market after 2030.

The regulation encourages the use of circular materials, such as paperboard, which can be recycled multiple times due to its unique fiber blends. This shift responds to growing concerns regarding single-use plastics and missed environmental targets.