Packaging is one of the key product value chains for which the required urgent, comprehensive and coordinated actions form an integral part of the Circular Economy Action Plan and its Sustainable Product Policy Framework.
The amount of materials used for packaging is growing continuously and in 2017 packaging waste in Europe reached a record – 173 kg per inhabitant, the highest level ever. In order to ensure that all packaging on the EU market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030, the Commission will review Directive 94/62/EC271 to reinforce the mandatory essential requirements for packaging to be allowed on the EU market and consider other measures, with a focus on:
- reducing (over)packaging and packaging waste, including by setting targets and other waste prevention measures;
- driving design for re-use and recyclability of packaging, including considering restrictions on the use of some packaging materials for certain applications, in particular where alternative reusable products or systems are possible or consumer goods can be handled safely without packaging;
- considering reducing the complexity of packaging materials, including the number of materials and polymers used.
As part of the initiative to harmonise separate collection systems referred to in section 4.1, the Commission will assess the feasibility of EU-wide labelling that facilitates the correct separation of packaging waste at source.
The Commission will also establish rules for the safe recycling into food contact materials of plastic materials other than PET.
The Commission will also strictly monitor and support the implementation of the requirements of the Drinking Water Directive to make drinkable tap water accessible in public places, which will reduce dependence on bottled water and prevent packaging waste.
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