European Parliament chooses path of least resistance, succumbs to greenwashing pressure, according to critics.
Today, after a much anticipated vote, and in the wake of hopeful social media posts immediately prior (see above), European Parliament adopted its position on new EU-wide rules on packaging, to tackle constantly growing waste and boost reuse and recycling. MEPs approved the report, which constitutes Parliament’s mandate for negotiations with EU governments, with 426 votes in favor, 125 against, and 74 abstentions. Critics are calling it a win for single use packaging lobby, despite research clearly supporting reuse over many single-use applications, and despite many factual inaccuracies trumpeted as truths, yet another example of the concerning global trend toward opinion-based decision-making outmuscling fact-based policy.
Reduce packaging, restrict certain types and ban the use of “forever chemicals”
Besides the overall packaging reduction targets proposed in the regulation (5% by 2030, 10 % by 2035 and 15 % by 2040), MEPs want to set specific targets to reduce plastic packaging (10% by 2030, 15% by 2035 and 20% by 2040).
MEPs want to ban the sale of very lightweight plastic carrier bags (below 15 microns), unless required for hygiene reasons or provided as primary packaging for loose food to help prevent food wastage. They also propose to heavily restrict the use of certain single use packaging formats, such as hotel miniature packaging for toiletry products and shrink-wrap for suitcases in airports.
To prevent adverse health effects, MEPs ask for a ban on the use of so called “forever chemicals” (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances or PFASs) and Bisphenol A in food contact packaging.
Encourage reuse and refill options for consumers
MEPs aim to clarify the requirements for packaging to be reused or refilled. Final distributors of beverages and take-away food in the food service sector, such as hotels, restaurants and cafés, should give consumers the option of bringing their own container.
Better collection and recycling of packaging waste
The new rules require that all packaging should be recyclable, fulfilling strict criteria to be defined through secondary legislation. Certain temporary exemptions are foreseen, for example for wood and wax food packaging. MEPs want EU countries to ensure that 90% of materials contained in packaging (plastic, wood, ferrous metals, aluminium, glass, paper and cardboard) is collected separately by 2029.
Zero Waste Europe – A Missed Opportunity
The European Parliament’s latest round of voting this afternoon on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) reflects a stance that is behind the times, according to Zero Waste Europe.
Annex V, a list that itemized unnecessary packaging formats, suffered a major blow with extensive derogations proposed by the ITRE Committee and by a delegation of Italian MEPs. Packaging formats that were gutted include disposable plates and cups from dine-in restaurants, single-use packaging for fruit and vegetables, and single-use sauce and sugar tubs and sachets.
Though waste prevention targets were preserved at 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035, and 15% by 2040, the watered-down text excluded crucial mechanisms needed to actually reach those targets. The position included reuse targets with derogations, reflecting an outdated stance that goes against the waste hierarchy.
“We are dissatisfied with the decreased ambition in the text. Granting derogations and exemptions on waste prevention and reuse to ‘appease’ industry players is unacceptable and takes us even further from the ultimate goal of this revision: reducing packaging waste,” stated Aline Maigret, Head of Policy.
One of the major derogations to reuse targets stipulates that if a Member State can report that its has over 85% recycling rate for specific packaging, such packaging is exempted to comply with reuse targets.
“By favoring recycling over reuse, the new derogations in Articles 22 and 26 question the whole foundation of EU waste law, namely the waste hierarchy,” commented Raphaëlle Catté, Policy & Research Support. “Recycling will not stop the waste problem, even with robust systems. It is worrying that not only right and far-right parties, but MEPs from all backgrounds yielded to lobbyist arguments.”
“A myriad of European start-ups and cities working on reusable systems for takeaway packaging will be disappointed to learn they are let down by the European Parliament, who deleted reuse obligations for this sector,” added Nathan Dufour, Reuse Systems Manager. “The hopes to defend their interests are now in the hands of the council.”
In terms of safe circularity, Zero Waste Europe did note that one positive in that the toxicity perspective is taken into account by proposing a ban on intentionally added ‘forever chemicals’ such as PFAS and Bisphenol A in food packaging. The proposal also includes measures to increase traceability and transparency regarding the use of all other substances of concern in packaging.
“We urge the trilogues to keep the ambitions of the file high,” Maigret concluded. “There is a need to respect the waste hierarchy by prioritizing prevention and reuse first, as well as call for safe circularity in packaging, to achieve the ultimate goal of this regulation, which is to reduce waste.”
Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
