EU strikes critical deal for sustainable packaging targets within industry
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The EU has stepped up its environmental legislation in agreeing laws to ensure packaging is more sustainable, as well as cutting waste from product ranges, including from confectionery and snacks series, reports Neill Barston.
As has previously been noted by Confectionery Production, both major and independent manufacturers have recognised the requirement to improve their operations’ impact on landfill and emissions, with Europe leading from the front in devising new regulation.
This has seen businesses increasingly turn to alternative sources of packaging, such as sustainably sourced paper, or recently developed rPET recycled plastic that is seen as offering a significant environmental breakthrough for industry in terms of environmentally-mindful manufacturing approaches.
Within the EU’s latest framework, packaging reduction targets have been laid down (5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040) and require EU countries to reduce, in particular, the amount of plastic packaging waste.
To reduce unnecessary packaging, a maximum empty space ratio of 50% is set for grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging; manufacturers and importers will also have to ensure that the weight and volume of packaging are minimised.
Certain single use plastic packaging types will be banned from 1 January 2030. These include packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables, packaging for foods and beverages filled and consumed in cafés and restaurants, individual portions (for e.g. condiments, sauces, creamer, sugar), accommodation miniature packaging for toiletry products and very lightweight plastic carrier bags (below 15 microns).
Chemical ban
Significantly, to prevent adverse health effects, the text includes a ban on the use of so called “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances or PFASs) above certain thresholds in food contact packaging.
Final distributors of beverages and take-away food will have to offer consumers the option of bringing their own container. They will also be required to endeavour to offer 10% of products in a reusable packaging format by 2030.
Under the new rules, all packaging (except for lightweight wood, cork, textile, rubber, ceramic, porcelain and wax) will have to be recyclable by fulfilling strict criteria.
Measures also include minimum recycled content targets for plastic packaging and minimum recycling targets by weight of packaging waste.
By 2029, 90% of single use plastic and metal beverage containers (up to three litres) will have to be collected separately (via deposit-return systems or other solutions that ensure the collection target is met).
Rapporteur Frédérique Ries (Renew, BE) commented: “For the first time in an environmental law, the EU is setting targets to reduce packaging, regardless of the material used. The new rules foster innovation and include exemptions for micro-enterprises. The ban on forever chemicals in food packaging is a great victory for the health of European consumers. We now call on all industrial sectors, EU countries and consumers to play their part in the fight against excess packaging
