The world of packaging is about to change forever. In the next couple of years, the European Union will have all packaging be designed for recycling. By 2030 packaging will be graded A 95% recyclable, grade B 80% recyclable, and grade C 70%. Any items below 70% are considered technically non-recyclable. Assessment of recyclability per unit, in terms of weight. DfR (Design for Recycling) rules to be defined through delegation acts by 2028. As time continues, regulations for recyclable materials will become more strict and plastics will face push back. 

Moving forward with sustainability in mind, the EU will be using paperboard for its recycling materials. Paperboard is the natural fit for a circular future. The paperboard life cycle is simple, first raw materials are delivered to a paperboard mill, new recycled paperboard is processed, next it moves to innovative packaging, then it’s off to brands, retailers and customers. Once purchased and used the consumers will recycle the paperboard packaging and the process starts over again. With paperboard unique fibers it can be recycled anywhere from 5 to 10 times, sometimes more.

In the mid 2010s single use plastic waste started to raise concerns, by 2022 the European Commission proposed the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, (PPWR.) A sweeping regulation that replaced the PPWD regulation from 1994. The PPWR is aimed at preventing and reducing as much packaging waste as possible,and improving recyclability and recycling overall. It also aims to drive circular materials in packaging. In 2025, PPWR goes into effect, and development of secondary legislation starts. 

By 2028 standardized, mandatory labels for waste sorting on all waste receptacles and consumer packaging starts. By 2030 all on the EU market must meet DfR (Design for Recycling) criteria. Most plastic packaging materials and parts in the EU must meet initial minimum recycled content targets. Single use plastic packaging face restrictions, these include items such as multipack drinks and sodas and fresh fruit containers. By 2035 all packaging in the EU must be recycled at scale. 

By the year 2038 all packaging in the EU must meet stricter criteria for recyclability. Similarly by 2040 most if not all plastic packaging in the EU must meet increased recycled content targets. The EU strives to reduce packaging waste by 10% in the next decade. 87% of paperboard packaging is recycled in Europe compared to only 42% of plastic, (Source: Eurostat 2023.) Paperboard outperforms plastic almost every time, making it the clear choice for the future.

The European Union is trying to make the future of recycling more sustainable and ethical, with paperboard leading the change, the odds are promising. For consumers and organizations alike, paperboard opens up exciting doors. The PPWR regulation is bringing forth an intriguing new area in sustainable packaging for us and our planet. Paperboards’ ability to be recycled up to 10 times or more helps us reduce just that much more packaging waste.

The future for packaging is already changing with the EU leading the way, learn about all this and more at Graphic Packaging International.